Rep. Jonathan Jackson wants federal investigation of Texas governor over migrant crisis

The Chicago congressman says Abbott’s actions are a “large-scale human smuggling operation.“

By Natalie Moore
migrants at O’Hare Airport shelter
Run by a private firm hired by the city, migrants stay in a makeshift shelter at O'Hare International Airport on Sept. 20, 2023. Unlike migrants in the public eye at police stations, the migrants at O'Hare and a handful at Midway International Airport have limited access to resources, including showers and medical care. Erin Hooley / Associated Press
migrants at O’Hare Airport shelter
Run by a private firm hired by the city, migrants stay in a makeshift shelter at O'Hare International Airport on Sept. 20, 2023. Unlike migrants in the public eye at police stations, the migrants at O'Hare and a handful at Midway International Airport have limited access to resources, including showers and medical care. Erin Hooley / Associated Press

Rep. Jonathan Jackson wants federal investigation of Texas governor over migrant crisis

The Chicago congressman says Abbott’s actions are a “large-scale human smuggling operation.“

By Natalie Moore
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The Republican governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, continues to bus migrants to Chicago.

Thousands of people — mostly Venezuelans — are living in temporary shelters here, including police stations and O’Hare airport.

It’s a humanitarian crisis stretching city resources.

Abbott claims he is sending migrants to Democratic cities – without any coordination – to protest US immigration policies.

But Chicago Congressman Jonathan Jackson says Abbott’s actions are a large-scale human smuggling operation.

Jackson is asking the U.S. Departments of Justice and Homeland Security to investigate. He joined WBEZ to discuss this.