Chicago is set to proceed with its plan to evict numerous migrants from shelters operated by the city and state on Sunday. This decision has sparked anger among advocates and some local elected officials, while leaving the affected migrants in a state of confusion as they scramble to secure alternative housing.
City officials announced on Friday that a total of 2,026 individuals will be forced to leave their current shelters by the end of April. The first group, consisting of 35 people, is required to relocate by this Sunday. In total, 244 migrants will be evicted by the end of the month, with the remaining 1,782 individuals being displaced throughout the course of April.
The mass eviction has finally begun several months after the city declared in November that shelter stays would be limited to 60 days. Migrants who reached this limit were required to either find alternative housing or return to the city’s “landing zone” for newly arrived migrants and request placement at another shelter. However, the implementation of this policy has been delayed three times due to severe winter weather, staffing issues, and opposition from advocates and certain elected officials.
According to a recent city census, 23 active shelters run by the city and state currently accommodate a total of 11,210 individuals. Since 2022, over 37,100 new migrants have been received by the city, many of whom are part of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s campaign for enhanced security at the southern border. This influx of migrants has not only impacted Chicago but also other cities like Denver and New York, creating a strain on social services and increasing the demand for housing.
According to Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office, approximately 4,500 individuals who would have been required to leave shelters during the initial wave of evictions will now be eligible for exemptions. These exemptions will grant them an additional 30-day stay in a shelter, potentially extending their stay until the end of June.
Families with children under 18, individuals securing housing, and those with specific medical conditions, such as those in quarantine due to a recent measles outbreak, are among the groups exempted from the new regulations. This approach, according to city officials, aims to minimize any disruptions for the remainder of the school year.
Chicago’s limited resources cannot fully meet the scale of need at the New Arrivals Mission, as acknowledged by Johnson in a statement on Friday. However, he emphasized that the city is continuously exploring options to improve care for all Chicagoans.
According to individuals who have been assisting migrants in accessing city services and securing housing, there are concerns about the lack of transparency from the city regarding the eviction process. The exemptions provided by the city offer limited reassurance and fail to provide clear guidance.
Vianney Alarcon, who has been assisting the migrants since last May, described it as merely a Band-Aid on an open wound.
Erika Villegas, a dedicated volunteer who has been supporting the migrants, shared that they have been receiving numerous texts from migrants seeking guidance on their next steps and expressing concerns about the possibility of being left homeless.
“Everyone is filled with anxiety and nerves,” Villegas expressed.
She also criticized how the city assists evicted migrants who are seeking shelter.
According to Villegas, the current system that requires migrants to leave their existing shelter, go to the landing zone, and then re-enter the system is chaotic and counterproductive. This approach only leads to more confusion and wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars.
According to Brandie Knazze, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services, migrants will receive reminders of their departure dates and will be responsible for making their own way to the landing zone. Once there, staff will assist them if there are available beds for re-entry into the shelter system.
Knazze explained that if beds were not available at the moment, they would assist individuals in connecting with their loved ones. This is a crucial aspect of the case management process. However, it is important to note that individuals will have the option to wait for a bed within the shelter system.
Since the migrant crisis began, the city reports that a total of 14,700 individuals have left shelters in the Chicago area due to resettlement. Furthermore, an additional 5,200 people have been able to reunite with family and friends.
Earlier this week, a letter was sent to the mayor by a group of over 20 local elected officials and 40 organizations. The letter called for an end to the 60-day shelter stay policy and proposed that shelter stays be decided on a case-by-case basis.
According to a letter written by an anonymous group, if the 60 Day Eviction Policy is implemented, it will have a negative impact on new arrivals who are unable to find work or housing. This could result in involuntary shelter exits, hindering their integration into the community and potentially leading to homelessness.
The Pilsen shelter in Chicago has become the focal point of a measles outbreak in the city. According to the Chicago Department of Health, out of the 12 people who have been diagnosed with measles in the city since March, ten of them were linked to this shelter. This alarming information was shared in a news release on Thursday.
Starting Friday, the city made a significant announcement stating that it will now mandate that all residents entering or staying in a city-operated shelter system must be vaccinated against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella. This new requirement aims to ensure the safety and well-being of shelter residents and prevent the spread of these infectious diseases within the community.
According to the instructions, all residents who are not immune and have been exposed will need to stay in their shelters for the duration of their quarantine period, plus an additional seven days. In order to be allowed to leave, residents must receive the vaccination and adhere to the quarantine and isolation policies.
Chicago’s Department of Public Health announced this week that they have conducted assessments for almost all residents at the shelter. They have successfully vaccinated approximately 900 individuals and confirmed immunity for the rest.
Alarcon, the volunteer, expressed her biggest concern at the moment: containing the measles outbreak. However, she emphasized that their overall priority is to find suitable housing for the individuals, ensuring that they do not become trapped in the shelter system.
Despite the lack of clarity in the process until the news conference on Friday, she expressed her skepticism about the logistics of the implementation. “I don’t have any high hopes with the logistics of what they’re going to implement because of how everything’s been going on,” she said.
Daniella Silva, a reporter for NBC News, specializes in covering education and its impact on students and teachers. Additionally, she provides insights on immigration-related matters.
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