Chicago City Wire

CHICAGO– On May 9, 2023, Representatives Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04), and Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), led members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation Mike Quigley (IL-05), Danny  Davis (IL-07),  Sean Casten (IL-06), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), and Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01) in a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell urging them to prioritize the City of Chicago’s funding request and provide expedited reimbursement of the $20.5M through the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) to help address the needs of migrants that have been arriving to Chicago from Texas. 

 "Community leaders and city officials in Chicago and all through Illinois are clear when it comes to protecting the constitutional right to seek asylum and will keep working around the clock to safeguard that right. But this is a shared responsibility across federal, state, and local governments in partnership with our communities," said Congresswoman Ramirez, Vice Ranking Member of Homeland Security Committee. "As we prepare for an increase in asylum seekers in Chicago, the Federal Government must meet the moment and provide sanctuary cities with the necessary funding to ensure migrants have access to food, shelter, and life-saving resources. It's our responsibility to honor our founding values and become the sanctuary we were meant to be!"

“Many migrants traveled for almost a year by foot, on trains, in the back of trucks, through jungles and rivers to find safety and opportunity. What Governor Abbott is doing is beyond cruel. Now in Chicago, migrants are living in dangerous conditions and even sleeping in police stations,” said Congressman García “Our city, community, and neighborhood leaders are doing crucial work to make sure Chicago lives up to its creed as a city of immigrants. Still, it is clear our city needs more resources. This is why we fully support the City of Chicago’s funding request and urge DHS and FEMA to fully fund it with future needs addressed through the Shelter and Services Program.”

“For nearly one year, the City of Chicago has sheltered and provided resources for thousands of immigrants sent to our community as part of a dehumanizing political stunt orchestrated by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. We are a nation of immigrants. Illinois prides itself on being a welcoming state, but we need more resources. I am appreciative that Chicago received $5.5 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the Emergency Funding Shelter Program in 2022, but the city has spent $75 million on resources for migrants overall,” said Congresswoman Schakowsky. “On May 9, 2023, I am joining my colleagues in calling on FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security to ensure Chicago receives the resources necessary to care for these migrants.”

The letter also requests maximal flexibility from FEMA for administrative expenditures, including staffing and other eligible shelter expenses beyond 30 days. Due to current regulations, countless migrant families are left without options and unable to receive help beyond that period.  These changes would enable community organizations and government entities to provide necessary resources and support. 

 The Members also strongly urge DHS to expedite opening the Shelter and Services program to help provide basic resources for recent arrivals and that interior cities and states providing transitional migrants services be included as priority areas for potential SSP funding.

A copy of the letter can be found here.

Original source can be found here.