Progressive Chicago Mayor Tells CNN Migrant Influx is ‘Not Sustainable’ Without ‘Significant Federal Support’

Chicago Democratic Mayor Brandon Johnson lamented the migrant influx into his city, claiming it is “not sustainable” without “significant federal support.”

During a Wednesday morning interview on CNN with anchor Poppy Harlow, Johnson laid out the full scope of the migrant influx in Chicago noting that it “has been a remarkable challenge.”

“Since taking office a little bit over seven months ago, my administration has responded to this humanitarian mission with the full force of government,” Johnson noted. “We have roughly 15,000 people living in shelters, temporary shelters here in Chicago, nearly 27 shelters. A total of 4500 children are in our Chicago public schools system, providing health care and also making sure that we are screening individuals as they come through the city of Chicago, providing, again, onsite vaccinations at all of our shelters.”

Johnson’s complaints come as New York City Mayor Eric Adams claimed earlier this week that the White House has refused to meet with him to discuss the migrant influx — even as the city takes in thousands of asylum seekers every week.

Adams told the press on Tuesday that the federal government has refused to do their job and critiqued the city’s government “every step of the way.”

Meanwhile, Johnson claimed without immediate federal support, the ongoing crisis in the city “is not sustainable.”

“But let me just say this to make this very clear, what I have said repeatedly is that we have to have coordination,” Johnson continued. “Since taking office, we’ve had an uncoordinated approach. And what I’ve worked to do, instead of having chaos, is provide some structure and calm around the situation. And without significant federal support, this is not sustainable.”

Watch the clip above via CNN.