State Representative Tony McCombie (IL) | Representative Tony M. McCombie (R) 89th District
State Representative Tony McCombie (IL) | Representative Tony M. McCombie (R) 89th District
In response to the increasing number of migrants coming to Illinois, House Republicans are advocating for the repeal of the TRUST Act, which made Illinois a sanctuary state for undocumented immigrants. The legislation aims to allow local law enforcement agencies to cooperate with federal immigration authorities and address the challenges posed by the influx of undocumented immigrants.
According to the Federation for American Immigration Reform, there are approximately 628,000 undocumented immigrants in Illinois, costing taxpayers around $2.9 billion annually. House Republicans argue that this financial burden is unsustainable and necessitates a change in the state's approach to immigration enforcement.
Chicago, as a sanctuary city, has been particularly impacted by the migrant crisis. More than 18,500 migrants have been transported to the city from border states, placing a significant strain on its resources. It is estimated that Chicago taxpayers will bear a cost of $361 million in 2023 alone, prompting the city to request additional funds from the State of Illinois to address the crisis.
One of the contributing factors to the escalating costs is the healthcare benefits program for undocumented immigrants, which has ballooned to $1.1 billion. In response, House Republicans filed House Resolution 220, calling for a moratorium on enrollment and expansion of the program, as well as an audit of its costs. However, the responsibility of managing the program was shifted to Governor Pritzker by Illinois Democrats, without taking substantial action to reduce its financial burden.
To further compound the issue, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services recently announced a temporary pause on new enrollees in the Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors program. Despite this, the program's costs continue to rise, with estimates indicating that it will exceed the appropriated amount by more than $280 million in FY 2024.
In light of these challenges, House Minority Leader Tony McCombie is championing the repeal of the TRUST Act through House Bill 4187. The legislation, currently under consideration in the Illinois House, aims to address the fiscal and humanitarian consequences of Illinois' sanctuary state status.
To garner support for the repeal, McCombie is urging Illinois residents to sign a petition advocating for the removal of the TRUST Act. This initiative aims to highlight the need for a more sustainable approach to immigration enforcement and the allocation of resources.
The push to repeal the TRUST Act by House Republicans reflects their concern over the escalating costs and strain on resources resulting from Illinois' sanctuary state status. By allowing local law enforcement agencies to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, they aim to address the challenges posed by undocumented immigration and ensure the fiscal stability of the state.
For additional details, please follow this link: https://repmccombie.com/2023/10/28/repeal-the-trust-act/
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