Immigrants Evictions Dates
Over the past few months, eviction notices have been given to the immigrants residents by shelter staff to evacuate the building. It is anticipated that the first round of evictions will begin on March 16. Due to the cold weather earlier this year, residents who were supposed to leave the shelter between January 16 and February 29 were granted a 60-day extension. That fell between March 1 and March 28. The city says that if you were given a 60-day notice on February 1, your eviction date is April 1.
Old Eviction Notices
According to volunteer Erika Villegas, some immigrants still have old eviction notices that were written on January 22, the date the deadline was first extended. Families have been sending her frantic messages with screenshots of the notices. “I don’t see why we’re just starting another crisis by not providing guidance to the most vulnerable citizens of the city,” Villegas remarked. “It’s unjust that we don’t give people the resources they need to become independent.”
According to city data, about 1,900 immigrants may be kicked out of city shelters on February 1; another 960 could be kicked out on February 2, and by the end of the month, over 6,000 immigrants could be out. A city briefing obtained by Block Club indicates. That only a small percentage of those facing those most imminent deadlines have already left shelters on their own volition. Plan revisions are ongoing, according to mayoral spokesperson Ronnie Reese .
What’s the plan?
According to city briefings, the deadlines coincide with the city once more changing its approach to providing refuge to immigrants. The city will collaborate with churches and other organizations to try to move people into more stable housing. However it has no plans to build new shelters or beds. Although the state has promised to add 2,000 beds for migrants, neither the location nor the timing of the beds’ addition are known.
According to the briefing, the Harold Washington Library is acting as a warming center. For recently arrived migrants and other individuals. The deadline for leaving shelters is changing, and migrants and volunteers told Block Club that this has caused “panic.” The city’s only form of communication is single-page Spanish eviction notices, which are frequently distributed just a few days before shelter stays are supposed to end.
Reese sent out an email saying, “We are currently finalizing changes to the 60-day policy and will have more information in the coming weeks.” According to cities email, staff members at all 28 of the temporary shelters. The city have begun asking migrants about their expected “exit date” and to ask them about the onward movement plans post-shelter exit.
However, volunteers and immigrants claimed they haven’t yet been informed about the approaching deadlines by case managers or city employees. “It’s spreading rumors and creating panic,” a volunteer stated, requesting anonymity.
Immigrants Point of View
“It’s the first time I’ve experienced such cold. It’s very strong,” a migrant who was staying at the Elston Avenue shelter said. She asked not to be identified out of concern that it would affect her ability to get shelter in the future
“We received the letters from the shelter, but they didn’t tell us what would happen next, where we should go, or if there was somewhere else we could go,” she added. In the coldest month of the year, she fears she might be forced to live on the streets.
Facing Homelessness
“Those currently residing in the shelter have no relatives to turn to. You can imagine that I wouldn’t be at this shelter. Additionally, I did have someone to live with [I would],” she remarked. “The governor and the mayor must let their hearts open. Since we are human, the climate we are in is unlike anything we have ever experience.
Another migrant who faces the deadline of February 1. Stated that, in contrast to many others, she has obtained work authorization. However has encountered difficulties in finding employment during the winter. She said she applied to mechanic shops, bakeries, restaurants, and house cleaning services. Furthermore, she was told that hiring would not resume until the spring. She begged, “All we need is another two months of shelter.” It is cruel to send people out into the street these days.
Written by Shontasia Gregory
Sources:
Chicago Sun-Times With shelter evictions looming, migrants worry about access to housing, work permits
Block Club Chicago Activists Demand End To City’s Migrant Shelter Eviction Policy, Set To Begin This Weekend
CBS News Immigration advocates in Chicago rally in support of migrants ahead of city eviction deadline
Inset Image Courtesy of Joe Piette Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
