(The Center Square) – A grassroots organization called “Chicago Flips Red” has made its debut before Congress at a hearing about migrant sanctuary policies.
Chicago Flips Red Vice President Danielle Carter-Walters testified Wednesday before the U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement.
Carter-Walters expressed her support for President Donald Trump at a hearing titled, “Sanctuary Jurisdictions: Magnet for Migrants, Cover for Criminals.”
“We proudly stand with our president to bring his message to the Black American community and dispose the lies pushed by the Democrat Party and the fake news media,” Carter-Walters said in her opening statement.
“Sanctuary cities are anything but safe,” Carter-Walters testified, adding that Chicago is “drowning in the consequences” of its policies.
Carter-Walters called out former President Joe Biden and Chicago mayors Lori Lightfoot and Brandon Johnson.
“Lifelong residents are pushed aside. Schools are overcrowded. Crime is out of control, and affordable housing is vanishing. This crisis exploded under Biden and was worsened by the reckless agenda-driven leadership of Lori Lightfoot and Brandon Johnson. They didn’t just ignore the collapse. They fueled it,” Carter-Walters said.
U.S. Rep. Barry Moore, R-Alabama, asked Carter-Walters about Johnson’s administration spending $638 million on vendor contracts for illegal immigrants since 2023.
Carter-Walters told Moore that Johnson then tried to pass a $300 million property tax increase on American citizens.
Several Republican congressmen described incidents of violent crimes involving noncitizen migrants.
Illinois U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, D-Chicago, argued that the GOP playbook on immigration is dishonest and cruel.
“Republicans have lifted up some tragedies that involved immigrants committing a few crimes. This is the exception, not the rule,” Garcia said.
Garcia said welcoming jurisdictions have lower crime rates.
“The truth here is that there is significant evidence that welcoming jurisdictions have lower crime rates, lower poverty rates, lower reliance on public assistance and lower unemployment rates,” Garcia said.
According to Wirepoints, Chicago had more homicides in 2024 than any other city in the nation with 573. New York City was second with 377. St. Louis had the most murders per capita last year, with 52.9 per 100,000 residents. Chicago was 13th at 21.5 per 100,000.
Carter-Walters said Chicago Flips Red was established because of the destruction that Democratic Party policies have done to the community.
“It’s funny that Mr. Garcia is from Chicago and he cannot tell you what’s happening in our community. If he came into our community, he would see all the gang graffiti, the Tren de Aragua signs, the MS-13. He would see across the street in a park where they’re putting the shelters, all the needles in the park,” Carter-Walters said.
U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, told Carter-Walters she should run for mayor.
“You’re great!” Nehls said.
Glenn Minnis contributed to this story.
