As Democratic-led cities across the country face increasing financial burdens from dealing with an influx of new immigrants, Chicago lawmakers say Mayor Brandon Johnson’s move to evict migrant shelters will reduce the city’s homeless population. It is accused of further increasing the number of
The city of Chicago began removing migrants from shelters Sunday after a 60-day stay limit went into effect, but Johnson said the city’s “limited resources cannot meet the full scale of the need.” insisted. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the mayor’s office announced that 34 of Chicago’s 11,210 shelter residents would leave over the weekend, but as of Wednesday, only eight migrants had left. .
“We have thousands of homeless people right now,” Andre Vazquez, a Democratic Socialist and alderman for Chicago’s 40th Ward on the north side, said at City Hall, according to the paper. “Mayor Johnson’s plan will only increase that number.”
Vázquez went on to criticize President Biden, adding: “We know this is an unprecedented situation. We know the president should do more.” “But when it comes to people being kicked off the street, that’s solely at the mayor’s discretion.”
Chicago mayor says evictions from immigrant shelters are ‘pathway to stability and self-sufficiency’
People hang out outside an immigrant shelter in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood on Wednesday, March 13. (AP/Erin Hooley)
According to a report in the Chicago Sun-Times, Johnson later said that “local government is not designed to deal with international crises” and that “the reality is that there are limitations,” and that city councilors would issue a statement in September 2023. He noted that Mr Johnson had informed him about the immigration crisis. By the end of last year, it would have cost Chicago taxpayers more than $250 million.
“Our city is committed to compassion,” Johnson said in a press release announcing the eviction. “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.”
His office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital on Thursday.
Children cover their heads outside an immigrant shelter in Chicago on Wednesday, March 13. (AP/Erin Hooley)
“We honor fundamental values by treating all people who come to the United States with dignity and respect, and we always strive to embrace immigrants rather than attack them,” the Democratic Party said on its website. ing.
But in Democratic-led cities, that message appears to be wavering. They are also struggling to cope with the influx of migrants, often arriving by bus, across the U.S.-Mexico border.
Due to the overwhelming number of immigrants, more free cities and states are asking immigrants for private residences.
On March 18, immigrants unable to find work were seen selling clothing and other second-hand goods on the streets of Queens, New York City. (Lokman Vral Elibor/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Denver city officials recently told the media that the city is exploring alternative ways to house immigrants. Fox 31 reports that the city recently sent an email to rental property owners in Denver asking if they were interested in renting to immigrants in need of housing.
The plan comes as the city of Denver cuts its budget deficit by nearly $60 million and cuts immigration services to consolidate shelters.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston said at a press conference in late February that the city would close one shelter each week for the next month. He added that no one will be evicted as a result of the shelter being closed. People will simply be moved to another shelter, FOX 31 reports.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced Friday that he is significantly rescinding the city’s infamous “right to shelter” policy, which requires beds to be provided to individuals who need them.
Under the new terms, individuals will be entitled to 30 days of housing services when they enroll in the city’s assistance program.
After a 30-day grace period, the city can deny an individual’s readmission to the system, but only if the city has “some extenuating circumstances that require an additional short-term shelter stay.” “disability,” Adams’ office said, “unless he or she certifies that he or she is receiving a reasonable accommodation for the following reasons.”
A migrant lies on a sleeping pad at a temporary shelter in Denver. (Hyun Chang/The Denver Post)
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“This new agreement recognizes the reality of where we find ourselves today, affirms our shared mission to help those in need, and moves us forward through this ongoing crisis,” Adams said in a video statement. “This gives us even more flexibility.”
FOX News’ Adam Shaw, Timothy Nerozzi and Stephanie Price contributed to this report.
