Chicago lawmakers are facing backlash from residents and activists after blocking a vote on whether the city should retain its sanctuary city status. The move comes as Chicago grapples with a significant influx of migrants, with more than 24,000 individuals arriving since August last year.

Campaigners had sought to put the controversial 'Welcoming City Ordinance' to a referendum on Chicago's March primary ballot, giving citizens the opportunity to have their say on the city's sanctuary status. However, Mayor Brandon Johnson and his allies ensured the motion was defeated in a City Council vote, with 31 council members voting against it and 16 in favor.

The decision to block the vote has sparked outrage among critics who argue that the city's leadership is avoiding accountability and failing to address the challenges posed by the migrant crisis. Alderman Anthony Beale, a vocal supporter of the referendum, expressed his frustration, questioning why the voices of the people were being silenced.

Chicago has been grappling with the impact of the migrant influx, with migrants seeking shelter in parks, police stations, and even the city airport. The city expects to spend approximately $300 million this year alone to cope with the growing number of arrivals. In an effort to provide temporary accommodation, the city spent nearly $1 million on a tent camp in Brighton Park. However, the site was deemed unsafe for habitation due to toxic soil. As a result, over 3,000 migrants are still waiting for suitable shelter, especially as harsh winter temperatures set in.

Residents throughout the city have expressed frustration as parks and public facilities have been repurposed to house the newcomers. Approximately 300 migrants continue to live in Chicago's police stations, highlighting the dire conditions they face. Some migrants have even decided to return to their home countries in South America due to the challenging circumstances.

Sanctuary city status means that city officials cannot inquire about a person's immigration status or share that information with federal authorities. Additionally, police are not permitted to arrest individuals solely based on their immigration status, and the city does not cooperate with immigration authorities unless compelled to do so by a court order. Chicago adopted sanctuary city status back in 1985, joining over 560 cities, states, and counties across the US.

The decision to block the vote on Chicago's sanctuary city status comes amid heightened scrutiny of such policies by border governors, who have transported thousands of migrants to these cities as the migration crisis intensifies. Mayor Johnson and four other Democratic city mayors recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to request $5 billion in federal funds to address the issue, emphasizing the strain on municipal budgets and essential city services.

Critics argue that a public vote on sanctuary status would have allowed the citizens of Chicago to have a say in how the city addresses the challenges posed by the influx of migrants. However, Mayor Johnson contends that the situation is a crisis that cannot be resolved through a public vote alone, emphasizing the need for additional resources to support the asylum seekers entering their communities.

As the debate over Chicago's sanctuary city status continues, concerns grow for the thousands of migrants still without adequate shelter as the harsh winter weather takes hold. The controversy surrounding the blocked vote highlights the deep divisions and difficult decisions the city faces in managing the ongoing migrant crisis.