The president of the Illinois NAACP, Teresa Haley, has issued an apology after making derogatory remarks about migrants during a recent conference call. In her statement, Haley expressed remorse for any hurt or offense caused by her comments, emphasizing her love and value for all community members, including immigrants. She reaffirmed her commitment to denouncing injustices, racism, and discrimination and expressed empathy for the plight of all people.
Haley’s controversial statement, which referred to migrants as “savages,” rapists, and burglars, was recorded and made public by former NAACP DuPage County president Patrick Watson. Since the leak, Haley has faced sharp criticism and calls for her resignation. Watson, who resigned in protest, called for her immediate removal, highlighting that such remarks go against the organization’s founding principles and perpetuate harmful stereotypes.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker also condemned Haley’s comments, describing them as “extraordinarily inappropriate.” He emphasized the presence and contributions of immigrants throughout American society, urging people to recognize that the majority of Americans have immigrant roots.
Haley, who also serves as the president of the NAACP Springfield branch, is currently seeking election to the national NAACP board of directors. Her controversial remarks come at a time when Chicago is grappling with a significant influx of migrants. According to data from the City of Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications, over 25,000 people have arrived in the city from the southern border since August 2022.
The city’s data shows that a majority of migrants arrive in Chicago via “Texas buses,” a program initiated by Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott. However, the dashboard only includes data for migrants arriving by plane as of June 2023, with 4,252 individuals seeking asylum in Chicago since then.
Both the Illinois NAACP and the national NAACP office have not yet responded to requests for comment.
In conclusion, Teresa Haley’s apology for her derogatory comments about migrants has sparked controversy and calls for her resignation. As Chicago continues to receive a significant number of migrants, the situation remains a focal point of discussion and debate.
