Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is pushing the Biden administration to grant more work permits to the tens of thousands of illegal immigrants sheltering in the city, despite black unemployment in Chicago reaching 57.4%, far higher than the national average.
While around 5,300 applications have been filed for work permits in Chicago, only 2,258 have been approved so far.
Black unemployment in Illinois is 10.9% overall but much higher in Chicago.
The city is also dealing with disease outbreaks like tuberculosis and measles in the migrant shelters.
Mike Johnston are also requesting more work permits, though the mayor acknowledged the larger issue of more permits attracting increased illegal immigration is beyond his control.
