The Incident
On Saturday, October 28, a migrant boy was struck by a car outside of a Northwest Side Chicago Police Station. Luckily, the six-year-old boy was taken to the hospital and treated for his injuries. He was hit by a woman while he was riding his bike with his mother in an alley outside of a large migrant encampment. The child named Alan, was taken to the Lurie Children’s Hospital and had to have surgery on his foot.
The crash happened outside of the Albany Park 17th District Police Station. The witnesses of the incident stated that the driver was distracted by the tents outside of the encampment. A particular witness who goes by Eduardo stated “the woman driving was looking at the tents and got distracted by all of the tents because it’s shocking to see people outside and in the street with this cold.”
It was also stated that the woman waited with the family of the victim till emergency services came. However, Alan’s parents didn’t feel safe enough to return to the encampment.
Migrants Need Help
Chicago became an asylum city on August 31, 2022. Ever since it has received an influx of migrants who don’t have food or shelter. Since then 19,000 migrants have taken residence in the city. although with the coming winter season, there are greater concerns for safety.
There are currently 68,000 local Chicagoans dealing with homelessness. The added influx of homeless asylum seekers is an issue. Although Mayor Brandon Johnson and his office are trying to find housing and solutions for the increasing number. Organizations such as
However with a lack of resources such as healthcare, shelter, education, food, and sources of income; the new influxes of migrants are heavily underserved.
Furthermore, Chicago has finally seen its first snowfall, and the weather is projected to continue to get colder. Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office is working on finding solutions to help these underserved individuals before the brunt of the winter comes.
Warming buses have been provided by the CTA and placed around the city. Also, charity organizations such as the Salvation Army have been working to provide 100s of care packages. Providing things such as clothes, blankets, hygiene products, diapers, and gift cards.
Other Help
On top of the mayor’s office doing what they can to help the unhoused migrants, as well as charity corporations, others have been trying their best to help.
Such as volunteer doctors in the Near North Health Center. There is a handful of doctors at the location who are currently working with organizations to help give medical aid to homeless asylum seekers.
Another example of migrants getting assisted healthcare is through the “Life Impacters Foundation.” The organization helped a dozen migrants including young children to go to Near North Medical where they were treated there.
According to the head chief officer at the hospital, Dr. Dan Vicencio, they have treated several ailments. Some of the patients have had ailments ranging from asthma, trench foot, musculoskeletal issues, flu, colds, and even depression. The hospital is treating on average around 60 patients a day at its different locations.
Dr. Vicencio also stated how he is an immigrant who arrived in the States at three from the Philippines. Vicencio then goes on to say that is the purpose of the hospital, that the resources and community partners are there to help those in need.
However, the influx of migrant patients has left a need for more bilingual medical workers.
Conflict Over Migrant Shelters
Though the mayor’s office is trying to quickly find solutions to give migrants a safe, warm environment before winter’s freezing temperatures hit, other politicians feel railroaded by his decisions. This is due to the push to have migrants transferred to vacant lots in the Chicago Southside, which will be accommodating around 400 to 1,000 asylum seekers.
There was a vote inside the City Council on Monday with the Housing and Real Estate Committee approving the action. There will be a second vote Wednesday the first for the full council.
Ald. Ronnie Mosley (21st Ward) however believes that this is being done at the expense of his ward’s residence. He goes on to say, “I have residents who experience homelessness and need shelter beds for the winter as well.”
Other Aldermen, like 12th Ward’s, Julia Ramirez, said that she didn’t get to have a say in the city putting migrant shelters in her ward. She was even approached by a large disgruntled crowd who confronted her about putting a “winterized base camp” in their neighborhood.
Written By AriAnna Rathers
Sources:
Politico: Migrant talks heat up as temps fall
NBC: Chicago community organizations team up to provide health care for migrants
FOX: Chicago races to keep thousands of migrants warm ahead of bone-chilling winter
Chicago Sun-times: Unwelcome first snow for migrants at police stations: ‘It’s so cold it hurts’
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of bradhoc Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image by paweesit’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
