As the sanctuary city of Chicago grapples with the influx of thousands of migrants, Mayor Brandon Johnson has announced a contentious decision – to begin evicting some of these individuals from the city’s shelters.
This move, which has drawn sharp criticism from progressive lawmakers, aims to address the strain on the city’s resources and accelerate the resettlement process for these new arrivals.
Effective immediately, the city of Chicago has implemented a new policy limiting the stay of incoming migrants in its shelters to 60 days.
Read: NYC Lawmakers Unveil Bill To End City’s Sanctuary Status Amid Immigration Crisis
This means that all migrants entering the shelters from this point forward will have to find alternative housing within two months or face eviction.
The mayor’s office has stated that this rule is necessary to “accelerate resettlement efforts” and ensure the city’s resources are not overwhelmed, according to ABC News.
However, the policy does include some exceptions. Migrants who are in the process of securing housing, experiencing medical crises, or facing extreme weather conditions will be granted exemptions and allowed to remain in the shelters beyond the 60-day limit. Pregnant individuals and those dealing with domestic violence situations will also be exempt from the eviction process.
The new rule will be implemented in a staggered fashion, affecting different groups of migrants at different times. Those who entered the shelters in 2022 will be the first to face eviction, with around 50 individuals required to leave by mid-January. Another 3,000 migrants who entered the shelters between January and July 2023 will have to depart by early February, while the nearly 9,000 people who arrived between August 2022 and the present will be given until the start of April to find alternative housing.
Read: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Spent Over $30K In Campaign Funds On Hair, Makeup In One Year
The decision to limit shelter stays comes as no surprise, given the significant strain the influx of migrants has placed on Chicago’s resources. Since August 2022, the city has welcomed nearly 25,000 migrants, mostly bussed or flown in from Texas.
Sheltering, feeding, and resettling these individuals has been a significant financial and logistical challenge for the city.
According to city officials, the efforts to accommodate the migrants have cost Chicago approximately $400 million since 2022. This staggering figure has put a significant burden on the city’s budget, leading Mayor Johnson to take some action to manage the situation.
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