Starting Sunday, the city of Chicago will move forward with a plan to remove thousands of immigrants from city and state shelters.
About 34 shelter residents, who were originally scheduled to leave in January 2025, are scheduled to leave on Sunday, but some exemptions will be made on a case-by-case basis, including extensions for households with children. according to Go to news release.
“Our city is committed to compassion,” Democratic Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said. “By focusing on health and safety and facilitating resettlement while providing extensions on a case-by-case basis, we are moving forward on the path to stability and self-reliance.”
Chicago officials will begin removing migrants from the city’s shelters on Sunday, but will allow families with school-age children to remain in the shelters until the end of the school year in June.https://t.co/eMoupx5BBN
— WTTW – Chicago PBS (@wttw) March 15, 2024
Johnson said the city is always looking for solutions to improve care for all residents.
“While we recognize that Chicago’s limited resources cannot fully meet the needs of the entire Newcomer Mission, we are constantly evaluating options that will lead to better care for all Chicagoans.” he continued.
According to a news release, 14,700 people have left Chicago-area shelters through resettlement, and “5,200 people have been reunited with family and friends through relocation,” bringing the total number of people assisted to 19,900. He became a person. According to the announcement, 4,155 people are currently receiving assistance to find permanent housing.
City officials announced plans to relocate 2,026 people from temporary evacuation centers by the end of April. The process begins on Sunday with 35 people departing. according to Go to NBC News. According to the newspaper, 244 migrants will be moved by the end of this month, and the remaining 1,782 will leave in April. (Related article: Chicago suburb declares state of emergency after about 100 immigrants arrive)
Immigrants are facing widespread evictions after the city announced a 60-day shelter stay limit in November, forcing them to seek other housing options or be placed if this limit is reached. NBC News reported that they are under pressure to request a change. The policy is being implemented after delays caused by severe winter weather, staffing issues and opposition from advocacy groups and authorities, the report said.
Citing the city’s census, the paper said 11,210 people were living in 23 shelters run by the city and state. The paper said more than 37,100 migrants have arrived in Chicago since 2022, many of them due to efforts by Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to tighten border controls. Chicago, as well as other cities such as Denver and New York, are facing challenges as the influx increases the need for housing and strains social services.
