Dupage Policy Journal

The Village of Wayne, Illinois, has no plans to accept illegal immigrants, as stated by Mayor Eileen Phipps. In an interview with DuPage Policy Journal, Phipps explained that the village lacks the necessary facilities to accommodate illegal immigrants.

“The Village of Wayne does not have any bus or train depots and we have no hotels, motels, or abandoned or unused buildings that would be available to house migrants,” Phipps said.

Phipps added the village does not have an ordinance in place like many other areas do, which would limit the drop-offs of illegal immigrants.

“We do not currently have any ordinances in place as we have no available resources to house migrants,” Phipps said.

Phipps' remarks were made in response to a plea from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson for support from suburban mayors amidst the city’s ongoing illegal immigrant crisis.

Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso commented on Johnson's request saying, "He’s asking us all for support, calling out the federal government." According to NBC Chicago, Grasso revealed that Johnson specifically sought assistance for increased funding and services for migrants and demanded support from Washington.

Since late December, when the City of Chicago began implementing fines and threatening to impound non-compliant buses dropping off illegal immigrants within city limits without prior notice, these individuals have been dropped off in suburban communities with Metra access, Patch reported.

In a Hinsdale Village Board meeting last month where such drop-offs were prohibited, officials reported being notified by a bus driver that these occurrences were expected to continue through March. The frequency of daily drop-offs throughout the state has varied significantly, sometimes exceeding 10 instances per day and approaching 800 people per day according to DuPage Policy Journal.

Reports indicating that over 34,000 illegal immigrants have arrived in Illinois since mid-2022 have heightened concerns and calls for stronger border control measures. Last fall, Illinois allocated $42.5 million in grant funds for municipalities to house illegal immigrants. Lake County, Elgin, Oak Park, Urbana and Chicago have received these funds to assist with housing and other needs. In total, the state has allocated $500 million for the care of illegal immigrants as reported by Capitol News Illinois.