Chicago's Plan to Close Migrant Shelters for Summer Park Events Raises Concerns

Chicago is set to close five shelters for migrants in the coming weeks, displacing nearly 800 people, in a move to reopen park district buildings for summer camps and community events, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced this week.

The decision has sparked controversy, with advocates for the newly arrived criticizing the move as it could add to the city's already existing homelessness issue. Mayor Johnson has defended the decision, stating that the park facilities will be transitioned back to their intended purpose in time for summer programming.

Background and Numbers

Since 2022, more than 37,000 migrants have arrived in Chicago, many of whom come from Venezuela. The city has been utilizing various temporary shelters, including police stations, airports, and park district fieldhouses, to accommodate the influx of arrivals.

As of the latest update, the city's dashboard showed that over 10,000 people remain in city-run shelters, down from a peak of nearly 15,000 in January.

Shelter Transition and Concerns

The city plans to relocate residents of the park district shelters to other temporary shelters in the vicinity, with a particular emphasis on families with children enrolled in nearby schools. However, the forced move has raised concerns about the disruption it will cause to the migrants' daily lives, including their employment and children's education.

Volunteers working with the migrants expressed worries about the potential upheaval caused by the relocation, highlighting the challenges in finding new routes for commuting to work and school.

Impact on Migrants and Housing Efforts

The decision to close the shelters and relocate the residents has left many migrants uncertain about their future housing arrangements. While the city reported that more than 15,000 people have secured alternate housing since 2022, concerns remain about the lack of information provided to those affected by the shelter closures.

Additionally, the state has provided rental assistance to over 5,600 families, aiding in their housing efforts.

Legal Implications and Consequences for Immigrants

Immigrants in the U.S., apart from a few exceptions, are required to notify officials of their change of address. Asylum seekers in the immigration court system have a five-day window to update their addresses to ensure they receive important notifications from the court, highlighting the legal implications of the shelter closures and relocations on the affected migrants.

The impact of the city's decision on the migrants' legal status and potential deportations due to missed court notifications has raised further concerns among advocates and volunteers working with the community.