Mayor Brandon Johnson Cancels Trip to Mexico Border, Sends Aides Instead

Mayor Brandon Johnson of Chicago has reversed his decision to join a trip to the U.S.-Mexico border, citing the urgent need to address the growing migrant population in the city. Instead, Chicago deputy mayor of immigration, Beatriz Ponce de León, will lead the delegation. Chicago has received over 18,500 migrants since August 2022, and the city is struggling to provide shelter and resources for the new arrivals. Johnson's administration is working to establish base camps to house migrants, but funding is running out. The mayor's proposed budget for migrant services in 2024 is $150 million, with hopes of securing additional state and federal funding.