Critics upset with enforcement of Chicago's 60-day limit at city migrant shelters
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Despite a measles outbreak, the City of Chicago is moving forward with its plans to enforce a 60-day limit policy at city shelters, effective Saturday.
Mayor Brandon Johnson said the shelter time limit will be enforced – with some exceptions. The 60-day deadline has been extended three times previously since being announced in November.
"They could return to the loading zone – that's one place – or they could decide to move on," Johnson said. "You know, they don't necessarily have to remain within the structure that we're providing."
But there were still questions late Wednesday about how the process will work, and where people, will go.
The move has critics concerned about what they said could lead to a logistical nightmare.
Volunteer Lydia Wong said there is "a lot of confusion going on; a lot of panic and worry" among those facing evictions this coming Saturday.
Wong said some of the new arrivals do not know where they will go.
"It's not been a well-thought-out or well-executed policy," Wong said. "Sixty days is not enough time to find housing."
But now, the mayor said the city is moving forward with the enforcement of the deadline.
"We've had migrants and shelters since 2002," the mayor said. "Again, that's not the design of the system that we are trying to hold up."
It was unclear late Wednesday how many migrants will be forced to vacate, but the mayor clarified that some exemptions will be made. Only those facing evictions that meet certain circumstances, like medical ones, will be exempt from having to vacate the shelters.
"Individuals who are in the process of securing housing or out of migration; if there are other circumstances around their health or pregnancy," Johnson said.
But because under federal law, new arrivals are not eligible for a work permit until around six months after they have applied for asylum status, more than a dozen alderpeople like Ald. Andre Vasquez (40th) - chairman of the Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights - are calling on the mayor to work with migrants on a case-by-case basis.
"Eighty percent of the population is not eligible for work permits," Vasquez said, "so you're seeing between now and the end of April, if this were to go forward, anywhere from [2,000] to 5,000 people who can't get jobs, and don't have rental assistance."
Currently, Catholic Charities of Chicago works with the city on resettlement, helping connect nearly 14,000 migrants to housing since August 2022, according to their data.
"Some people are eligible for rental assistance. They are finding jobs. They can find a way to sustain themselves," Vasquez said, "and some people can't."
Wong said the looming pressure is leading to irrational decision-making.
"Whether it's taking leases that they probably should not because they cannot financially sustain it or we see people who are maybe doubling up with others, that is not a real safe situation," said volunteer Lydia Wong.
Vasquez said enforcement of the deadline is likely to create other crises.
"What I believe that will lead to is an increase in homelessness, and other social challenges we're still going to have to take on," said Vasquez.
Catholic Charities also helps migrants staying at shelters reunite with family they may have outside Chicago – so that is another option for housing.
