Thousands Of Migrants Dropped Off At Stations In DuPage County

DUPAGE COUNTY — Buses containing more than 2,900 migrants have stopped at Metra stations in DuPage County to unload these asylum seekers en route to Chicago, according to an update from the county's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (OHSEM).

As of Wednesday, OHSEM reports that a total of 72 buses have dropped migrants in DuPage County. Below is the breakdown of bus totals and the stations at which they have stopped:

• Aurora: 3
• Bartlett: 1
• Bensenville: 1
• Downers Grove: 8
• Elmhurst: 8
• Glen Ellyn: 6
• Hinsdale: 12
• Lisle: 2
• Lombard: 2
• Naperville: 6
• Villa Park: 3
• West Chicago: 2
• Westmont: 1
• Wheaton: 12
• Winfield: 1
• Wood Dale: 4

"Since mid-December, DuPage County has been coordinating and assuring the safe passage for asylum seekers dropped off in our communities," DuPage County Board Chair Deborah Conroy said in a statement.

Conroy added,"Our goal remains to provide a secure and smooth transition for these new arrivals after they have traveled such great distances. The reports I've received indicate these passengers are moving peacefully off the buses, through the train stations, causing no incidents. We remain grateful for the collaboration with state, regional, and local officials who are facilitating this process."

Buses full of asylum seekers have been dropped off in Chicago's suburbs after the city enacted an ordinance limiting two buses of migrants to arrive each hour and restricting bus arrivals to set times. To skirt these rules, many bus drivers have been leaving migrants at Metra stations in Chicago suburbs.

In December, Tinley Park approved an ordinance to restrict unscheduled bus arrivals with the threat of impoundment. Joliet followed suit with an ordinance that passed Tuesday. Other suburbs, including Clarendon Hills, are considering taking measures to prevent buses from leaving migrants in or near their municipalities.