Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is pushing President Joe Biden to authorize work permits for the nearly half-million illegal immigrants currently residing in Illinois. According to Johnson, Chicago alone can accommodate several hundred thousand more immigrants.
“We need the president to extend the same economic opportunities long term for our undocumented brothers and sisters, so they can build a better life here in the city of Chicago or wherever else they decide to live,” Johnson said during a recent meeting with business leaders. The Chicago mayor argued that the state’s illegal immigrant population should benefit from the same economic opportunities accessible to legal residents.
On Thursday, Johnson — backed by other Democrat mayors, including those from Denver, New York, Seattle, and San Francisco – submitted a formal request for the work permit increase to the Biden White House. “I remain standing in my belief that a more inclusive and equitable future for all residents is truly possible, whether they arrived here yesterday or have been here for an extended period of time,” he wrote.
Johnson’s request comes as part of a broader effort by Democrat mayors to urge the Biden government to expedite work permit issuances for the new wave of illegal immigrants and to extend current permits, which are set to expire in late April. They contend that without additional permits, their municipalities will be overwhelmed by their growing population of illegal immigrants who are currently unable to seek legal work. In response to a joint appeal from more than forty mayors in February, the Biden government has increased the extension time from 180 to 540 days for specific categories of illegal immigrants.
Despite widespread local disapproval surrounding the illegal immigrant influx, Johnson remains staunch in his advocacy for the immigrant community, even as thousands continue to inhabit city shelters.
