The Issues

1. The City of Chicago needs more funding for shelters housing new arrivals. Chicago’s severe weather necessitates that people be housed in brick and mortar shelters through the winter months. Chicago needs more federal support for this.

2. Chicago does not regularly receive federal funding to provide shelter to asylum seekers, unlike border cities. In early 2023, the federal government dispersed $800 million to bolster aid already going to border cities, but Chicago only received approximately $4-8 million, significantly less than is needed.

3. At the moment, for Venezuelans who comprise the bulk of new arrivals to Chicago, only those who arrived by July 31st or crossed the border with a CBP One appointment can immediately apply for work authorization. Otherwise, they must wait 150 days after submitting an asylum application which requires retaining an attorney.

4. Immigration court is backlogged for years. Immigration reform allowing more people to qualify for parole (a legal standing that allows people to live in the US without worry of deportation for up to 2 years while their case is pending) would reduce the number of hearings and check in appointments for both courts and ICE. This in turn would help reduce the processing times. Currently most migrants in Chicago do not have parole which theoretically places them at risk for deportation at any moment.

The Asks

1. Expand federal funding for shelters to non-border cities.

2. Expand work permit eligibility for all migrants, including Venezuelans who arrived after July 31, non-Venezuelans, and people who have been in the US for years.

3. Expand qualifications for who is granted parole when entering the US.