Austin News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Republicans, led by Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas), have sent a letter to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, demanding answers about the use of O’Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport to house illegal aliens. The Senators argue that this misuse of airport resources is a violation of federal taxpayer investment in the national airport system.

In their letter, the Senators stated that since at least June 2023, the city of Chicago has been housing illegal aliens at the Bus and Shuttle Center area of Terminal 1 at O’Hare International Airport. They further noted that the city has expanded this housing to accommodate even more illegal aliens, relocating courtesy shuttle pick-ups for actual travelers to an entirely different terminal. Additionally, it has come to light that Midway International Airport is also being used to house illegal aliens.

The Senators highlighted the federal government's significant investment in the development of a robust national airport system over the past 75-plus years. They emphasized that these airports and their facilities must be available for public use as airports, as stated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Repurposing airport facilities to house illegal aliens not only undermines taxpayers' investment in the national airport system, but it also violates the requirement that these federally funded facilities be available for public use as airports.

The letter also addressed the fact that Chicago has publicly declared itself a sanctuary city since 1985. Despite waning public support, city leaders have continued to embrace this status. The decision to remain a sanctuary city has been a contentious issue for Chicago.

The Senators called out Mayor Brandon Johnson for his inconsistent actions and statements regarding the city's sanctuary city status. They referenced his recent characterization of the sending of illegal aliens to Chicago as "sowing seeds of chaos" and his implication that Texas Governor Greg Abbott's transportation program for illegal aliens to sanctuary cities is motivated by racial animus. The Senators also pointed out Mayor Johnson's demand for the federal government and American taxpayers to foot the bill for Chicago's decision to flout federal law.

The letter questioned Mayor Johnson's decision to house illegal aliens at O'Hare International Airport, especially considering the ongoing dispute with United Airlines and American Airlines regarding a new terminal that is already over budget. The Senators highlighted the high cost per enplaned passenger at O'Hare and the airlines' concerns about Chicago's ability to support the new terminal project. They pointed out that instead of finding a solution for the new terminal, the city is converting existing terminal and ancillary facilities into housing for illegal aliens.

The Senators concluded the letter by urging Mayor Johnson to use his authorities to advocate for border and transportation security, the enforcement of immigration laws, and to consider reversing Chicago's sanctuary city policy, which they described as an "illegal immigrant magnet."

In addition to Senator Ted Cruz, Senators JD Vance (R-Ohio), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) joined in sending the letter to Mayor Brandon Johnson.

The full text of the letter can be found [here](link to the full text of the letter).