Concerns growing as no room for newly arriving migrants in shelters but many to be evicted have nowhere to go
As the clock ticks down, migrants residing in City of Chicago shelters will begin facing evictions, with a looming deadline set for February 1. The impending displacement could affect hundreds of individuals who have sought refuge in these facilities.
The situation has prompted a collective effort on the part of the Chicago City Council to persuade Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration to reconsider and potentially push back the eviction deadline. With less than a week remaining, approximately 1,900 migrants could find themselves compelled to vacate Chicago shelters.
Mayor Johnson’s administration had previously extended the 60-day eviction policy on two occasions, citing concerns related to winter weather conditions. Despite these extensions, the approaching deadline has stirred anxiety among the affected population.
Mutual aid volunteer Annie Gomberg has been actively working to assist Chicago migrants who received eviction notices. Describing the atmosphere, Gomberg noted, “They are in a complete panic. Every person who gets one of these notices doesn’t understand what this means for them and their family because the plan is so convoluted and doesn’t make any sense.”