Chicago, Illinois – President Joe Biden is facing criticism from supporters of former President Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement this week due to a measles outbreak in the city largely spread by migrants. According to the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), there have been 57 confirmed cases of measles in Chicago since March, with the majority linked to the city’s largest migrant shelter in the Pilsen neighborhood. The recent update from CDPH revealed only four new cases this past week, bringing the total to 57 cases.
Measles is a highly contagious virus transmitted through an infected person’s breath, coughs, or sneezes. Symptoms can include a cold-like illness and a red rash, with potential complications that may lead to death. In response to the outbreak, efforts are being made to administer second doses of the MMR vaccine to individuals at the affected shelter, particularly focusing on children under the age of 5 among the 57 confirmed cases.
The measles outbreak in Chicago has sparked discussions among critics of the influx of migrants entering the United States, many of whom are arriving illegally through the U.S.-Mexico border. Since October, there have been over 1.1 million encounters reported by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Trump, positioning himself as the presumed 2024 GOP presidential nominee, continues to advocate for his anti-immigration policies under the MAGA platform.
Supporters of former President Trump have taken to social media platforms like Twitter to express their disapproval of the situation at the southern border under the Biden administration. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene and Richard Grenell are among those who have raised concerns about the spread of diseases among migrants, highlighting the health crisis connected to the open border policies.
In addition to measles cases in multiple states across the country, the CDPH recently confirmed tuberculosis infections at some migrant shelters in Chicago. However, the spokesperson emphasized that these cases should not be considered part of an “outbreak,” as efforts are in place to prevent the spread of infection through contact tracing. The discussion around public health risks with the influx of migrants continues to drive debates on immigration policies and border control.