Ramirez Slams Republican Efforts to Strip Funding from Cities Welcoming Migrants & Asylum Seekers

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), the Vice Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee, voted “NO” on H.R. 5717, No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act, which would strip federal funds for cities providing services to new migrant arrivals and asylum seekers. Yesterday, Ramirez took to the House Floor to urge her colleagues to vote against the legislation while calling out Republicans for using the serious process of legislating to advance a political agenda to cut the funding of Democratic cities and states like Chicago and Illinois. 

VIDEO HERE

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Remarks as prepared:

I rise to address the hypocrisy of the “No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act.”

My Republican colleagues seem to have missed the irony of proposing this bill:  

During the month we honor the contributions of the Latine community to this nation…

Knowing immigrants contribute nearly $100B in taxes.

So immigrants BAIL OUT federal programs with their labor and taxes, but it's the federal government that has to stop the BAILOUTS?

Miss me with that.

Chicago and Illinois know immigrants contribute to the economic and social vibrancy of our communities.

So you have to ask… why else might Republicans propose a policy that would strip billions in federal funds from states like New York, California, and Illinois?

Can you think of a reason? I can.

A political stunt to take money away from diverse communities and Democratic cities.

I will be voting No on HR 5717, and I urge my colleagues to do so, too.

I yield back.

Background:

Since 2023, Chicago has welcomed 54,309 new arrivals, 89% of which were sent by Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott. The City of Chicago and many surrounding suburbs have worked to provide short-term shelter, long-term housing, medical care, food, clothing, and social services to welcome and integrate new arrivals. A 2019 report showed that Chicago metro area immigrants generated more than $20.6 billion in taxes that year alone. According to a Bloomberg Report, undocumented immigrants in the United States pay nearly $100 billion in taxes in 2022. 

Ramirez had previously called for $10 billion in federal funding to support welcoming cities nationwide. She also successfully secured $1 million for a new immigrant welcoming center for Chicago and $2.75 million for the construction of new affordable housing across her district.