"Texas Migrants Land in Rockford, Journey to Chicago Continues"

Over 300 migrants were flown from Texas to Rockford, Illinois, and then bussed to Chicago as part of Texas Governor Greg Abbott's "Operation Lone Star." This operation sends migrants to sanctuary cities across the U.S., with Chicago having been declared a sanctuary city in 2021. The migrants, who crossed into the U.S. at the southern border seeking asylum, were transported overnight and did not leave the airport property in Rockford before being bussed to Chicago. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has previously encouraged communities outside Chicago to host migrants and has allocated $41.5 million in grants for their support.