South Side activist Andre Smith takes on Chicago’s sanctuary policy, accusing Mayor Johnson of exacerbating migrant crisis
South Side activist Andre Smith has launched a state representative bid, emphasizing the need for city leaders to grasp the concept that “illegal” truly means “illegal.” Smith, the founder of Chicago Against Violence, recently spoke out, attributing the city’s growing migrant crisis not to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, as claimed by city leaders, but to Democratic Mayor Brandon Johnson.
Expressing concern about rising homelessness and crime levels, Smith argued that attempting to make “illegal” activities “legal” is fundamentally flawed, regardless of the approach taken. In contrast, Mayor Johnson asserted that his office has responded robustly to the humanitarian mission, criticizing Abbott for what he deemed a “reckless” distribution of buses across Illinois.
Smith’s bid extends to the Democratic primary for the Illinois State House, where he plans to challenge Rep. Kimberly du Buclet, according to local reports. Reflecting on his activism, Smith recounted being arrested last year during a protest in front of a disused school, which officials had repurposed for migrant sheltering.