The city of Chicago’s landing zone for migrants at Desplaines and Polk streets on Jan. 3, 2024. (WTTW News)
Mayor Brandon Johnson will not evict migrants from city shelters until at least Feb. 1, suspending the 60-day limit he imposed for the second time in less than a week, a city spokesperson said.
The city’s 60-day limit on shelter stays for migrants sent to Chicago on buses paid for by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott had been set to take effect Monday, but Johnson said last Friday that no one would be evicted as the city struggled to cope with a snowstorm followed by several days of below-zero temperatures.
Initially, Johnson granted approximately 650 migrants a week-long reprieve, until Jan. 22, which is set to be the first day of above freezing temperatures in a week.
Approximately 1,900 migrants could be evicted from city shelters Feb. 1, according to city data. Another 961 people could be evicted Feb. 2, according to data provided to WTTW News. It is unclear how many of those migrants set to be evicted will be able to find permanent housing in the next two weeks or obtain work permits.
By the end of February, city officials are set to evict 6,239 migrants from city shelters, according to city data.
City officials have no plans to open new shelters or add beds to the 28 existing shelters, officials said.
More than 14,700 migrants, all of whom are in the country legally after requesting asylum, are living in 28 city shelters. Since August 2022, nearly 34,700 men, women and children have made their way to Chicago as part of an effort by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, to damage President Joe Biden’s chances for reelection and divide Democratic voters.
Another 200 people are waiting for beds to open in city shelters at O’Hare Airport or at a warming center set up at Harold Washington Library Center after the weather became too extreme for them to stay on CTA buses at the city’s designated “landing zone” for buses from Texas at Polk and Desplaines streets in the West Loop.
Contact Heather Cherone: @HeatherCherone | (773) 569-1863 | [email protected]
