Aurora responds to influx of Texas buses bringing migrants to town

Aurora City Council members Friday will consider an ordinance that will make it more difficult for buses carrying asylum seekers to drop off passengers in town.

The ordinance, similar to one recently approved in Rosemont, would give the city the ability to fine bus companies and impound buses making unscheduled stops in Aurora.

The proposal would require bus companies transporting migrants to submit an application for city approval five days prior to arrival.

As part of the application process, bus companies would have to submit their contact information along with the driver’s name and contact information, passenger names and copies of photo IDs, and contact information for those picking up passengers in Aurora. The company also must submit a detailed plan identifying who will provide housing and care for the migrants once they arrive in Aurora.

The ordinance is the sole topic of a special city council meeting Friday at noon.

The proposal comes after buses carrying migrants from Texas began to arrive in Aurora this week. As of Thursday afternoon, five buses from Texas have arrived, a city spokesman said. According to a written statement, passengers on the buses were dropped off at the Aurora Transportation Center and encouraged to catch a commuter train to Chicago.

“The city of Aurora is not equipped to handle an influx of multiple busloads of persons arriving each day, nor, given the time of year, is it acceptable for person to simply be ‘dropped off’ at a Metra station with few personal items, seasonally inappropriate attire, and no access to services,” a statement from the City of Aurora released Thursday reads. “In fact, doing so puts the health and safety of these passengers at great risk.”

Companies violating the proposed ordinance could face an adjudication hearing before the city, have their bus impounded and fines of up to $1,000 per passenger.

The proposed ordinance alreadyhas sparked criticism from various groups, including Immigrant Solidarity DuPage and the Aurora Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

“I think it’s very unfortunate .. this reaction of Aurora, the city officials and the mayor,” said Cristobal Cavazos, executive director of Immigrant Solidarity DuPage. “Instead of opening their arms during Christmastime, they’re closing them up.”

Cavazos and other groups plan to be at Friday’s council meeting.

“We don’t think it’s right what the city is trying to do right now,” said Karina Garcia, president and CEO of the Aurora Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, which represents more than 3,000 members.

Garcia said the chamber first learned of the proposed ordinance Wednesday, when notice of the meeting was given. She said the city should have contacted community organizations for input and to “figure out how we can work together.”