Chicago’s New Strategy for Managing the Crisis Involves Limiting Migrant Shelter Stays to 60 Days, Says Mayor Johnson

HI INDIA NEWS DESK

CHICAGO, IL- Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has announced that migrants arriving in the city will now be limited to a maximum of 60 days in city shelters. This decision comes after the Chicago City Council approved a 2024 budget of $150 million to support over 21,200 migrants sent from the southern border, largely by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Mayor Johnson emphasized the importance of not neglecting the needs of Chicagoans while addressing the migrant crisis.

The move is seen as a fiscally responsible approach to respect the city’s taxpayers, as Chicago expects to spend over $363 million by year-end to care for migrants, with limited federal assistance. Mayor Johnson aims to pressure all levels of government to expedite the transition of over 1,800 migrants currently in police stations or makeshift shelters into more permanent housing.

Chicago will continue to maintain its status as a welcoming and sanctuary city. Although the mayor did not provide specific details about what will happen when migrants reach the 60-day limit, his deputy chief of staff clarified that nobody would be evicted from city shelters as long as they were making progress towards finding permanent housing.

Similar to New York City’s approach, Chicago plans to offer expanded services to migrants, helping them obtain work permits and permanent housing more efficiently. The city also intends to impose fines on bus companies transporting migrants that violate curfew or landing zone regulations, while providing additional staff to assist migrants in reaching their final destinations if they choose not to stay in Chicago. Mayor Johnson will provide further details of this new approach alongside state and county officials in the coming days.