I often disagree with the commentaries in The New York Times, but recently I read one that taught me something important that I did not know.
For the commentary, Megan Stack interviewed two Mexican immigrants in Chicago, one legal and one illegal.
(p. A20) They are both fans of Donald Trump. Mr. Mata voted for Trump, and though Jose can’t vote, he tells me that Mr. Trump “has courage.
They blame “the Venezuelans,” which is their shorthand for the roughly 50,000 migrants who came to Chicago in buses in the last three years. Because of how they were processed at the border during the Biden years, “the Venezuelans” are allowed to receive work permits, which gives them an unfair advantage over earlier illegal migrants such as Jose. And some of them are criminals.
Chicago has spent about $640 million in housing, feeding, and otherwise supporting “the Venezuelans” which has caused resentment both among long-term Chicago citizens and among the earlier illegal migrants, who were not so well-housed, fed, or supported.
Stack’s commentary taught me that many illegal migrants support and admire Donald Trump, and it taught me why.
For Stack’s full commentary see:
(Note: the online version of the commentary has the date March 10, 2025, and has the same title as the print version.)