Dupage Policy Journal

Reports confirmed the presence of at least 17 buses dropping off illegal immigrants in DuPage County on Dec.28-29, marking an alarming trend that has local authorities on high alert.

Local Metra stations are being utilized for transportation to Chicago, with significant passenger counts observed in Downers Grove, West Chicago, Wood Dale, Winfield and Hinsdale. 

As the situation unfolds, concerns about the scale and origin of these busloads persist among DuPage County residents and officials.

Over the past two days, the region experienced a surge of illegal immigrant drop offs, with DuPage County consistently targeted.

Chicago’s Emergency Management and Regional Security has been actively collaborating with Cook County public safety and collar county Emergency Management partners to coordinate a comprehensive response.

On Dec. 28 the Elmhurst Metra Station, in particular, saw significant activity, with a reported 53 migrants boarding a UP-W train destined for Ogilvie Station at 10:50 a.m.

The train service relayed information about 40 migrants on a train and 70 at Villa Park. Bus updates throughout the day included arrivals at Elmhurst, an attempted drop-off in University Park at 10:40 a.m. and two buses in Wheaton at 12:50 pm. 

All passengers from these buses were reported to be on or preparing to board Metra trains to the city, with the Office of Emergency Management and Communications informed of the situation.

Reports from Dec. 28 indicated an unexpected increase in buses, surpassing the expected 10 with a total headcount of 605 migrants.

Notably, Richton Park experienced an unconfirmed report of a bus initially going to University Park in Will County and being turned away.

Details from various Metra stations in DuPage County revealed migrants boarding trains to Chicago from Elmhurst, Wheaton, Downers Grove and Glen Ellyn throughout the day.

The demand for transportation strained available resources, with an update at 4:35 p.m. mentioning a bus in Glen Ellyn and two buses in Naperville, all boarding Metra trains. 

OEMC, facing a shortage of shelter space, mobilized CTA buses as a temporary solution until more spaces became available.

The arrival of a 12th bus on Dec. 28 came in Glen Ellyn at 8:40 p.m., with 41 passengers boarding a Metra train to Chicago.

On Dec. 29, at least 334 illegal immigrants were seen boarding buses headed for the Chicagoland area with most landing in DuPage County.

One bus arrived in Wood Dale, unloaded 38 passengers who boarded Train #2235, scheduled to arrive at Union Station at 1:45 p.m. 

In Downers Grove, 25 illegal immigrants arrived on a bus and boarded Train #1254, scheduled to reach Chicago Union Station at 11:16 a.m.

In Hinsdale: 40 illegal immigrants arrived on a bus and boarded train #1260, with an ETA to Chicago Union Station at 3:16 p.m.

The arrivals are part of a marked uptick around the Christmas holiday.

Suburban police in the Chicagoland area are facing challenges in managing the increasing influx of busloads of illegal immigrants, leading to a strain on local resources. Despite the issuance of emergency orders and ordinances, including fines and impounding measures, concerns have emerged regarding the effectiveness of the responses.

The Aurora City Council has taken a proactive stance by mandating advance notice for buses, with non-compliance resulting in fines and impoundment. Unannounced drop-offs in Fox River Grove, Elmhurst and Kankakee have prompted swift police action in these communities.

The Will County Emergency Management Agency has been coordinating with municipalities in response to a surge in Latin American illegal immigrants arriving unexpectedly.

In Elmhurst, the police department has reportedly been assisting illegal immigrants, highlighting the multifaceted challenges faced by local authorities.

In West Chicago, Ward 2 Alderman Heather Brown, a candidate for Illinois State Senate District 25, is demanding action to address the impact of illegal immigrant drop-offs.

Brown plans to propose fines for Metra, the regional transit provider, if it drops off illegal immigrants in the area.

This decision comes in the wake of arrivals in Winfield, raising concerns about the strain on West Chicago's resources.

Despite council members advising her to await county action, Brown is actively exploring options, including adopting an ordinance similar to Aurora's.

This ordinance allows the seizure of buses and cars for unauthorized drop-offs, emphasizing the urgency to address the issue promptly and prevent additional burdens on taxpayers and services.

The origin of these buses is traced back to Texas, where Gov. Greg Abbott has been regularly sending busloads of migrants to self-declared sanctuary cities for over a year, NBC News reports.

This has resulted in the transportation of approximately 75,500 migrants to six cities since April 2022, according to the governor's office.

In response, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration is embroiled in a dispute with fellow Democrats over winter housing for migrants.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Biden ally, has urged action on border issues and federal funding, citing the overwhelmed resources of the state during calls with the president.

Abbott's approach, viewed as a nonpartisan response to a national crisis, has garnered support, with some considering it a strategic move that draws attention to the broader immigration issue.