Democratic Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot slammed Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R), questioning his Christian faith over his policy on bussing migrants.
During a press conference over the weekend, Lightfoot told reporters that bussing migrants is “decidedly unpatriotic, and un-American, I understand the pressures, that the people of Texas and some of the other border states are under.”
She added, “We see that on a daily basis. But the thing to do is not this, this is creating a human crisis and treating people without dignity, without respect.”
Lightfoot argued it is “another demonstration of unpatriotic conduct on the part of the Governor of Texas.”
The mayor continued, “We can and must do better as Americans. The rest of the world is watching us and how we’re treating these people who are coming to our country because they’re fleeing violence.”
According to Lightfoot, they are fleeing a “lack of economic opportunity,” adding, “They’re fleeing other kinds of persecution. This is what our country has been about. We open up our arms and we welcome those who have struggled to find a decent quality of life elsewhere.”
Taking aim at Abbott’s faith, Lightfoot told reporters, “And I urge him, he professes to be a Christian. This is not the Christianity and the teachings of the Bible that I know. And I think religious leaders all across the country are standing up and denouncing exactly this.”
Concluding her remarks, she said, “But what we mean — must do in this moment is make sure that we do live our values and we open up every opportunity that we can to support these migrants.”
Watch her comments below:
MIGRANTS: Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot slams Gov. Greg Abbott: "He professes to be a Christian? This is not the Christianity and the teachings of the Bible that I know." pic.twitter.com/yGmYtAvelR
— Forbes (@Forbes) September 5, 2022
Last month, Abbott announced that the first bus of Texas migrants had arrived in Chicago.
“Biden’s inaction at our border puts Texans at risk and is overwhelming our communities. We’ll continue bussing migrants to sanctuary cities like NYC, DC, and now Chicago until the federal gov’t does its job and secures the border,” Abbott tweeted.
First Texas bus of migrants has arrived in Chicago.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) September 1, 2022
Biden's inaction at our border puts Texans at risk & is overwhelming our communities.
We'll continue bussing migrants to sanctuary cities like NYC, DC, & now Chicago until the federal gov't does its job & secures the border. pic.twitter.com/RccsdIOXiI
A spokesman for Mayor Lori Lightfoot issued a statement confirming that about 60 migrants were on their way to Chicago.
“Chicago is a welcoming city and as such has collaborated across various departments and agencies to ensure we greeted them with dignity and respect. We understand that many are fleeing violent, traumatic, or otherwise unstable environments,” the statement said.
The statement continues, “We will respond with essential services while these individuals navigate the next steps of their journey and our community partners have been working diligently to provide a safety net.”
