Chicago City Council Latino Caucus Demands Mayor Lori Lightfoot Call a State of Emergency to Further Protect Migrants and Refugees Arriving in Chicago

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 12, 2022

CHICAGO, IL - So far this year, Chicago has taken in nearly 2,900 migrants due to Texas Governor, Greg Abbot, and other conservative Governors tactic of busing migrants as their effort to criticize the nation’s immigration policies. This systemic pattern of transporting migrants to our city continues and does not seem to be slowing. The Chicago City Council Latino Caucus proudly stands behind Chicago’s welcoming city ordinance and recognizes the work it will take to ensure any immigrant, asylum-seeker, and refugee the adequate resources to adjust to their new environment.

With that, the Chicago City Council Latino Caucus demand Mayor Lori Lightfoot call a state of emergency and follow in the footsteps of other cities and states around the country also facing a massive uptick of migrants. This will give the appropriate city agencies the ability to establish and operate more centers that will provide assistance for arriving asylum seekers including respite, food, medical care, case work services, assessment of settlement options, as well as direct referrals to alternative emergency supports.

The U.S. is currently home to eleven million undocumented immigrants, including half a million who reside in Illinois, of which approximately 300,000 live in Chicago. The City of Chicago and the United States were founded by immigrants, who have traveled from around the world seeking a better life. We should be devoted to the families sent to Chicago to ensure they have a chance to provide what any individual would want for their family: peace, shelter and safety.

The Chicago City Council Latino Caucus was created to fight for the well-being and betterment of all Latino residents of Chicago. The Caucus includes 13 members from across the city. They represent wards as diverse as Chicago itself. In addition to Chairman Gilbert Villegas (36) and Ald. Rossana Rodriguez (33), the Caucus membership includes: Ald. Daniel LaSpata (1), Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza (10), Ald. George Cardenas (12), Ald. Michael Rodriguez (22), Ald. Silvana Tabares (23), Ald. Bryon Sigcho-Lopez (25), Ald. Robert Maldonado (26), Ald. Ariel Reboyras (30), Ald. Felix Cardona (31), Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35), and Ald. Andre Vasquez (40). Chicago’s Clerk Anna Valencia is an ex-officio member of the Latino Caucus.