Kane County Reporter

State Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) sharply criticized state and federal immigration policies in light of a recent drug bust in McHenry County involving two Mexican nationals allegedly in possession of illicit substances, including fentanyl, with a street value of $425,000. 

In light of the case and increasing illegal immigration in the state, Ugaste expressed deep concerns over the implications of current immigration and law enforcement practices.

"When we encourage illegal immigrants to come here and tell them we're a sanctuary state, we won't cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement if you break the law, and we won't deport you, we're essentially allowing individuals to roam our streets freely," Ugaste told Kane County Reporter. 

Ugaste's remarks came after July 2 arrest of two Mexican nationals, Enrique Navar-Favela and Robert Cristian Chavez-Salgado, who were found in possession of 17 kilograms of cocaine and fentanyl valued at approximately $425,000. 

"Let's just take the basic charge here. We have two illegals who have drugs, and I believe they're charged with having them, with fentanyl as well," Ugaste said. "And if that's the case, it just goes to show how broken our border is at this time. This is all because of the current administration not being able to think it through before."

Ugaste linked this incident to what he described as a "broken border" under the current administration which he underscored by noting the severity of the fentanyl crisis, citing numerous cases of overdoses among young people across the country. 

"We have the worst problem with fentanyl we've ever had in our country, with kids and young people especially, but even some older ones dying from this drug," Ugaste said.

Meanwhile crimes linked to organized crime activity oftentimes linked to foreign drug cartels in the state, such as human trafficking, have risen dramatically with drug crimes leading the way.

Since 2013, the number of overdose deaths due to synthetic opioids like fentanyl has increased 3,341%. 

Calling for a change in federal immigration policies, Ugaste argued that state and federal governments must work in tandem to address these issues. 

"Our government should always work with the federal government in a role-wise manner," he said. "If someone's not happy with federal law, you change the federal law, you don't get to be a sanctuary from any federal law." 

Ugaste said by becoming a sanctuary state the tax burden to care for illegal immigrants has fallen on the average Illinois taxpayer. 

Ugaste said providing subsidies only serves to attract illegal immigrants. 

“Providing free healthcare to undocumented immigrants only exacerbates these issues and sets us up for tragedies like this."

“We have been spending billions of dollars – billion – that's with a 'B' on illegal immigrants since I've been in (Springfield) in 2019,” he said. “Free health care, other benefits that even our own citizens don't get and because of that, we are having to increase taxes.” 

Ugaste said taxes were increased by over $1 billion this year to address the illegal immigrant crisis. 

“We need to change these policies. It's costing Illinois taxpayers way too much money," he said. 

He is urging accountability from Illinois Democrats regarding lax state policies on illegal immigrants.

"The Democrats in Illinois should be held accountable for this as well."

Ugaste is running for re-election in the general election on Nov. 5. and is encouraging voters to go out to the polls. 

“I don't know where (voters’) breaking point is, but if issues like this don't get them there, then I'm not certain what does,” he said. “Because, in all honesty, there's only so much the state can take and we're not at the tipping point anymore. We're going the wrong direction.”

Ugaste represents House District 65, the bulk of which is in Kane County, including a smaller portion in DuPage County. 

The district includes South Elgin, Campton Hills, Lilly Lake, Elburn and parts of St. Charles.