Migrants Dropped Off In Suburb, Told They Were In Chicago: Officials

FOX RIVER GROVE, IL — A group of 38 migrants from Texas who were supposed to be dropped off by bus in Chicago, were instead left in Fox River Grove early Saturday, prompting local officials to help the group and ensure they made it safely to the city.

During the early morning hours of Saturday, the 38 migrants were told they had arrived in Chicago after being dropped off at the Fox River Grove Metra station, according to a news release from the village of Fox River Grove. The group "disembarked" from the bus, officials said.

Police officers in Fox River Grove learned of the situation and helped to provide the migrants with access to a warming shelter and "ensuring some safety and comfort for them throughout the night," according to the news release.

The Metra Police Department also assisted with the incident, and by 7 a.m. on Saturday, arrangements had been made to provide Metra train tickets to the group, which "allowed them to continue their journey from Fox River Grove to Chicago," police said.

Local officials said that Fox River Grove is not the only collar county municipality that has encountered "similar challenges," which highlights "the need for a coordinated regional approach to ensure the safety and well-being of migrants and residents alike."

Village officials in Fox River Grove noted they will remain focused on ensuring the safety of any migrants brought to the community and facilitating their trip to Chicago "where appropriate resources are available."

"The village of Fox River Grove remains committed to upholding the values of compassion, safety, and community," officials said in the weekend statement, which was posted to the village's Facebook page. "The village will continue to work diligently with all relevant stakeholders to address this incident and implement measures that prioritize the well-being of everyone involved."