Since August 2022, Chicago has welcomed over 35,000 individuals and families via buses and airplanes sent by Texas Governor Abbott and non-government organizations in Texas, Colorado, and New York. The majority are seeking asylum from Latin America, Asia, Eastern Europe, the Caribbean, and the African continent due to US foreign policy that has created unstable economic and political conditions compromising their safety and forcing them to travel thousands of miles to safety. U.S. cities have not traditionally had the infrastructure to resettle high numbers of immigrants and refugees.  This is federal responsibility.  Seeking asylum is an internationally protected right afforded to everyone.  

To see the most recent data, please see the New Arrivals Daily Snapshot. 

While most asylum seekers are from Venezuela, individuals and families are also from all over the world, including countries from the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. 

The City works in collaboration with the State of Illinois, Cook County, delegate agencies, community-based organizations, and mutual aid organizations to provide support for new arrivals.  

Shelters are open 24/7, with a curfew of 11 pm. Every shelter has onsite case managers that help connect new arrivals to the services they need, including: healthcare, mental health, family reunification, and other supports.

Individuals at these shelters are focused on rebuilding their lives and creating stability for themselves and their families back home. Many are building new support networks, often with help from case managers, and connect with local faith-based institutions to find community. 

The City of Chicago can provide for both the needs of new arrivals and local residents. This is a both/and operation. In addition to the supports structured for new arrivals, the City continues to invest in new, long-term homeless solutions, including developing new non-congregate shelter spaces and increasing permanent supportive housing options.

The City also invests in housing-first strategies to help house people. The City of Chicago invested over $117 M to transform the overall response to homelessness. One of those investments included continuing the investment in rapid rehousing beginning with the Expedited Housing Initiative (EHI), which uses $35 million in CARES funding to house over 1,800 households. Moving forward, another $35 million will be invested to house another 1,300 households and help 1,000 currently housed individuals remain housed. 

The City has not diverted funding from the homeless shelter system to support the new arrival mission and we are working to enhance and expand services for unhoused Chicagoans. Mayor Johnson’s budget proposal includes $250 million continue investments in new, long-term homeless solutions, including developing new non-congregate shelter spaces and increasing permanent supportive housing options.  

At this time, our shelter partners cannot accept “walk-up” volunteers due to security and safety concerns for minors and vulnerable populations on-site. However, there are a myriad of mutual aid organizations who are in search of volunteers. To learn more, see a list of mutual aid organizations. Residents can also volunteer directly with our partner organizations.

The City of Chicago stood up brick and mortar shelters. Twenty-eight temporary shelters currently house over 14,200 residents to support their path toward self-sufficiency. However, nearly 200 asylum seekers and other migrants are sleeping at O'Hare airport as they await shelter placement. 

• Resettlement. The City of Chicago and the State of Illinois will continue to welcome new arrivals with dignity, help meet their basic needs, and connect them to resources that put them on a path to self- sufficiency and resettlement.  Together, we will provide limited temporary shelter, enrollment support for public schools, case management for State benefits and legal services to apply for asylum or Temporary Protective Status, health care services, and State-funded short-term rental assistance while new arrivals pursue legal employment authorization. 
• Facilitate outmigration for individuals and families who want to reunify with family members and sponsors beyond Chicago. Catholic Charities provides travel support and confirms sponsors on the receiving end. Additionally, the City will Work with State to identify locations outside of Chicago for resettlement hubs to share the responsibility of Welcoming State. 
• Coordinated federal advocacy with County, State, Illinois Congressional delegation, and external partners to reduce the financial and operational burdens, and to secure increased funding that will cover comprehensive sheltering and resettlement work in Illinois.  

Five core asks: 

1. Nationwide coordination of resettlement to receiving cities/States with a single federal leader, 
2. Donated use of Federal land and buildings for sheltering throughout Illinois such as military bases and training facilities,  
3. Flexible use of federal funding for sheltering operations and overall expenses.  
4. Resources and technical assistance for expedited Temporary Protective Status (TPS) and employment authorization document (EAD) processing, and 
5. Expansion of TPS and EAD for all non-citizens. 

Non-citizens need authorization from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to work. USCIS requires individuals to apply for an employment authorization document (i.e., EAD/work permit).  

After submitting and confirming receipt of an asylum application to USCIS, new arrivals must wait 150 days to apply for an EAD to legally work. Working without legal authorization can compromise their chances of obtaining status to lawfully stay in the United States.  

On September 20, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security announced the extension and redesignation of Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. Venezuelan nationals (roughly 75 percent of those who have come to Chicago since August 2022) are afforded TPS if they crossed the border by July 31, 2023. This allows a streamlined process to obtain an EAD and protection from detention and deportation.

The State of Illinois, City of Chicago, The Resurrection Project, and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) are hosting a series of legal clinics to help those eligible for TPS/EAD submit their applications. 

The goal of the 60-day limited stay policy is to accelerate how new arrivals engage with the emergency shelter system. The City can continue to support existing residents on a pathway to self-sufficiency while also maintaining our ability to meet the immediate needs of new individuals and families arriving in Chicago daily, including providing direct access to public benefits and other supports during their 60-day stay.

Under extenuating circumstances individuals may be granted temporary extensions. This includes medical crises or extreme cold weather. Individuals with a signed lease with a move-in date after the end of their 60-day period may receive an extension until their move-in date.

If other arrangements have not been made and the resident is not eligible for an extension at the end of their 60-day stay, they may return to the landing zone and request a new shelter placement.

Residents should make every effort to apply for rental assistance during their 60-day period. In order to apply for rental assistance, a lease must be secured. If a lease is secured and the rental assistance application has been submitted prior to the end of their 60-day stay, an extension may be granted through their movein date (i.e., start of the lease, including utilities being established).

Rental assistance

• Our goal is to leverage all resources to assist with resettlement efforts.
• Rental assistance may be available to eligible households: 
  • Shelter residents who arrived to shelter on or prior to November 16, 2023, will maintain eligibility to apply for rental assistance.
  • Shelter residents who arrived to shelter on or after November 17, 2023, will not be eligible for rental assistance. 
• All new arrivals will remain eligible for the following resources: IDHS public benefits via Victims of Trafficking, Torture, or other serious Crimes (VTTC), a health home via Cook County Health, assistance with school enrollment at Chicago Public Schools, and other resources and supports available through the Illinois Welcoming Center network.

Legal services for immigration matters 

• In partnership and close coordination with the State of Illinois and our federal partners, the City is quickly ramping up efforts to connect eligible new arrivals to Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Employment Authorization Documents (EAD), and assistance with their asylum case.
• Our combined goal is to assist 11,000 new arrivals with TPS/EAD by February 2024

Yes. New arrivals who enter shelter on or after November 17, 2023, will receive a 60-day stay notice upon intake

60-day notices will be rolled out in phases beginning with those that have been in shelter the longest:

• New arrivals who entered shelter in 2022 will receive a 60-day notice beginning 11/17/2023.
• New arrivals who entered shelter between 1/1/2023 - 7/31/2023 will begin receiving 60-day notices on 12/4/2023.
• New arrivals who entered shelter between 7/31/2023 - 11/16/2023 will begin receiving 60-day notices on 2/1/2024. 
• All new arrivals to shelter on or after 11/17/2023 will receive a 60-day notice upon intake.

To apply for the state’s Asylum Seeker Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ASERAP), a resident must have secured a lease. They may secure a lease in two ways:

• Working with a Catholic Charities Resettlement Case Manager and submitting an ASERAP application with the help of a shelter HSS provider
• Finding their housing, signing a lease on their own, and submitting their ASERAP application via the Fast Track option.

Yes, they can be reunited, but their 60-day exit date would remain the same.

Yes, residents should make every effort to make other housing arrangements.

The Department of Housing has resources available for renters here.

Rental assistance information is available here.

Through support of the State of Illinois, legal services and case management will be available to help individuals apply for Temporary Protected Status, Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), and Asylum. We will connect individuals to other resources as they become available.

All new arrivals will remain eligible for the following resources: IDHS public benefits via Victims of Trafficking, Torture, or other serious Crimes (VTTC), a health home via Cook County Health, assistance with school enrollment at Chicago Public Schools, and other resources and supports available through the Illinois Welcoming Center network.

With winter fast approaching, slower turn around for retrofitting buildings, lack of availability of large spaces like McCormick Place due to scheduled conferences and events, and the frequency of multiple unannounced buses and airplanes of individuals seeking asylum from Texas, base camps provide a temporary stabilization strategy and turnkey solutions to ensure the 2,000 people awaiting shelter in police stations, airports and sleeping outdoors have a safer alternative as they continue their path for self-sufficiency. 

Through City, county, and State databases and with assistance of a real estate broker, the City identifies suitable buildings that could be quickly retrofitted for temporary shelters and vacant land that meets size and infrastructure specs to stand up base camps. 

Upon site identification, Alderpersons are notified of the potential use while City staff assess viability of building or land. The City will continue to engage the Alderperson and community stakeholders.  

Brick and mortar buildings typically are a shorter timeline, while land for base camps require additional assessment by City departments upon identification. The two paths are outlined below. 

Brick and Mortar Temporary Shelters 

1. Buildout and timeline created for necessary renovation to ensure space meets minimum temporary shelter standards. 
2. Calculations made on how many individuals can be sheltered and composition (Families vs. Singles) 
3. Alderperson receives confirmation that site is viable with projected timeline for opening based on how much repair is needed, as well as estimated number and composition of shelter residents. 

Base Camp Temporary Shelters 

1. Alderperson receives notification that land is under consideration to stand up a base camp through initial assessment of size (at least 3 acres of vacant land). Before confirmation, a thorough assessment of the infrastructure and land by City departments will take place.  
2. City Infrastructure departments conduct an assessment and participate in due diligence of the site that may include but not limited to tree trimming, removing dead trees, removing debris, rodent abatement, grading site for hazardous conditions, illuminating areas around the site, repairing alley lighting, determining if there is existing water and sewer lines, repairing catch basins, cleaning catch basins, and  performing various environmental assessments. 
3. Calculation made on how many individuals can be sheltered and composition (Families vs. Singles)
4. Alderperson receives confirmation that site is viable with projected timeline for opening as well as estimated number and composition of shelter residents. 

In both the brick and mortar and land identification, the last step includes: The City works with the Alderperson to support in a community meeting if requested to provide details on temporary shelter opening and answer questions about operations, safety, and wrap around supports. 

Once all assessments have concluded and the environmental assessments are completed/addressed.  The City will provide notice to the Contractor to put in the order for the site.  It will take at least 96 hours to get equipment/supplies to the site.  Once equipment has arrived, it will take several days to erect, outfit, and test systems before welcoming residents. Once the base camp is fully staffed and system tests have passed, the City will begin transitioning residents based on how long people have been waiting at police station and airport staging areas. 

If the site is not suitable, the City will notify the Alderperson.

During the initial building of the facility, equipment acquisition, required utilities, initiating services and construction staff will be provided by GWFS supplemented by local vendors. The work will be coordinated by the City. Once the facility is operational and welcoming asylum seekers and other migrants, a transition will be made to hiring local service providers and Chicago residents.    

As of October 21, 2023, GWFS is accepting applications for workers and attending City hiring fairs. Learn about job opportunities here.

During the initial building of the facility, equipment acquisition, required utilities, initiating services and construction staff will be provided by GWFS supplemented by local vendors. The work will be coordinated by the City. Once the facility is operational and welcoming asylum seekers and other migrants, a transition will be made to hiring local service providers and Chicago residents.  

The site will have 24/7 staffing. They will conduct regular rounds inside and around the site. CPD and the Mayor's Office of Community Safety are working together with stakeholders to implement a community safety plan, which includes regular visits to the building during every watch. 

CPS has been prioritizing enrolling new arrival students in schools that have existing space in classrooms, bilingual teachers and supports that are nearest to the City’s temporary shelters. CPS is attempting to enroll students in schools that are best positioned to support the critical needs of new arrival children.  

Not all schools nearest to temporary shelters are most appropriate for students, so CTA cards (as required for all STLS—Students in Temporary Living Situations) are provided for students who need to travel further to attend school. Because CPS knows which schools have space in classrooms, bilingual staff and other resources, when families attempt to enroll in schools without working with the CPS Office of Language and Cultural Education (OLCE) team, students may end up enrolling in schools that are not best positioned to support their students’ needs immediately. It is critical that families work with CPS to coordinate enrollment.  

CPS also allocated additional dollars, based on 20th day enrollment at schools, as they do annually, to schools that have received new students. Those schools whose 20th day enrollment increases reflected additional new arrival students often received additional English Language Program Teacher positions (a half- or full-time additional position) based on the contractual ratios. CPS is continuing to receive requests from principals as approved by network chiefs for additional staff and resources as enrollment of new arrival students continues beyond the 20th day.  

The CPS OLCE continues to coordinate enrollment at schools via the Welcome Center at Clemente High School and CPS mobile staff teams enrolling new arrival students at shelters in coordination with the Mayor’s Office, DFSS, OEMC, the CTU and mutual aid partners. The City is working to set up additional strategic conversations with CPS and 12th ward community leaders. 

Since August 2022, Chicagoans across the City have generously contributed through donations, mutual aid, and sheltering through their faith community sponsorships, and have advocated for more federal and State resources for this humanitarian effort. Please visit the 'Donations' tab to learn more about how to help those seeking asylum and other migrants.

Advocate  

Contact your congressperson and the White House to urge increased funding that will cover comprehensive sheltering and resettlement work in the City, Cook County, and State.  

Five core asks: 

1. Nationwide coordination of resettlement to receiving cities/States with a single federal leader, 
2. Donated use of Federal land and buildings for sheltering throughout Illinois such as military bases and training facilities,  
3. Flexible use of federal funding for sheltering operations and overall expenses.  
4. Resources and technical assistance for expedited Temporary Protective Status (TPS) and employment authorization document (EAD) processing, and 
5. Expansion of TPS and EAD for all non-citizens. 

Contact your State Representative and Senator to urge that Illinois:  

1. Create shelter and resettlement hubs in at least two other municipalities directly supported and operated by the State  
2. Increase Asylum Seeker Emergency Rental Assistance Program by $50 million   
3. Create a sustainable funding stream for Chicago to cover 30-40% of costs from shelter to resettlement services.  
4. Support Chicago Public Schools  
   • Increased the Students in Temporary Living Situations (STLS) services for all students  
   • Additional resources and flexibility in licensing of Bilingual educators   
   • Expedite existing capital projects and new construction for replacement purposes 

Donate  

1. Support mutual aid groups helping at police districts  
2. Amazon Wish List: chicago.gov/support 
3. Winter items (new preferred) dropped off at 4401 W. Ogden (Mon-Friday, 8AM-5PM) 
4. Winter items (new and gently used) dropped off at one of Cradles 2 Crayons several locations 

Volunteer 

1. The City is developing a volunteer program that will make it possible for community members to volunteer on site at shelters and base camps.  
2. Volunteer with mutual aid groups helping at police districts 
3. Each shelter site will have a shelter and safety committee composed of shelter staff and residents, City departments, Chicago Police Department, representatives from the alderperson’s office, and community partners for ongoing planning and execution of strategies to keep shelter residents and staff safe along with the surrounding community. Contact newarrivalschicago@cityofchicago.org 

Shelter/Housing Leads  

Suggest potential shelters or rental units https://www.chicago.gov/City/en/sites/texas-new-arrivals/home/shelter.html 

 Rules include:  

• Upon leaving or entering the facility, new arrivals must sign in and out with front desk staff. At entry and re-entry, clients are also subject to an entry screening including a metal detecting screening device. 
• New arrivals must abide by 11PM curfew. After curfew, new arrivals may not leave the facility except for urgent reasons (e.g., employment) or in case of emergency.  
• New arrivals may not have visitors within the facility.  
• Drugs and alcohol are not allowed on the property. If alcohol, illicit drugs, and marijuana are found, items will be confiscated, discarded, or reported to CPD. 
• New arrivals must respect the entire property and treat it carefully.   
• Smoking is not permitted. 

Residents may be discharged for violation of rules   

• Unless the reason for discharge is violence or active threat toward others, resident may be placed at another shelter. 

There is a grievance policy where new arrivals may dispute dismissal if they feel they have been improperly removed from a shelter or would like to submit a complaint against staff. Typically, grievances are reviewed within 3 days. 

We are working across City departments and agencies and planning to bring in community partners to develop plans to offer activities, services, and resources to shelter residents. 

We will continue prioritizing the safety and well-being of community residents. Shelter policies – like the curfew policy – are in place to help establish routines and expectations while making sure that the environment inside the shelter is as safe and comfortable as possible. We expect that shelter staff will follow curfew policy while also using their best judgment to determine what is the best course of action in individual instances, recognizing when the most humane course of action – that does not threaten the safety of the individual or others in the shelter - is to make an exception. For example, there are individualswho work 2nd or 3rd shifts who can be exempt from the curfew policy. 

District Commanders have been engaged in safety planning efforts. We anticipate that representatives from the Districts will participate in the safety committees for the region so that they can participate in planning and problem-solving on an ongoing basis. District Commanders will also be sharing best practices across districts with shelters.  

The State of Illinois went through a thorough vetting process to contract with GWFS prior to the Johnson administration. Using the State contract allowed the City to expedite procurement times (typically 6-18 months) for contract execution to ensure that an alternative to sleeping outdoors or in police stations was secured prior to the onset of winter. 

City of Chicago’s contract outlines an initial agreement through September 10, 2024 and the State of Illinois Contract extends through August 1, 2026. 

With winter fast approaching, slower turn around for retrofitting buildings, lack of availability of large spaces like McCormick Place due to scheduled conferences and events, and the frequency of multiple unannounced buses and airplanes of individuals seeking asylum from Texas, base camps provide a temporary stabilization strategy and turnkey solutions to ensure the 2,000 people awaiting shelter in police stations, airports and sleeping outdoors have a safer alternative as they continue their path for self-sufficiency. 

During the initial building of the facility, equipment acquisition, required utilities, initiating services and construction staff will be provided by GWFS supplemented by local venders. The work will be coordinated by the City. Once the facility is operational and welcoming asylum seekers and other migrants, a transition will be made to hiring local service providers. As of October 21, 2023, GWFS is accepting applications for workers and attending City hiring fairs. Learn about job opportunities here:  

GWFS facilities are prefabricated insulated structures.  These facilities meet American Red Cross standards for structures used in disaster and other emergency conditions.  

GWFS will follow the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services shelter operations guidelines. Additionally, the City and State will activate a third-party Human Rights watchdog to ensure guidelines and protocols are followed to protect human rights.  

Yes. Shelters are open 24/7 and residents sign an agreement to abide by a daily 11:00 pm have a curfew unless they have prior approval because they are working or have notified their case manager in advance of another urgent matter requiring their return after curfew. 

 Rules include:  

• Upon leaving or entering the facility, new arrivals must sign in and out with front desk staff. At entry and re-entry, clients are also subject to an entry screening including a metal detecting screening device. 
• New arrivals must abide by 11PM curfew. After curfew, new arrivals may not leave the facility except for urgent reasons (e.g., employment) or in case of emergency.  
• New arrivals may not have visitors within the facility.  
• Drugs and alcohol are not allowed on the property. If alcohol, illicit drugs, and marijuana are found, items will be confiscated, discarded, or reported to CPD. 
• New arrivals must respect the entire property and treat it carefully.   
• Smoking is not permitted. 

Residents may be discharged for violation of rules   

• Unless the reason for discharge is violence or active threat toward others, resident may be placed at another shelter. 

There is a grievance policy where new arrivals may dispute dismissal if they feel they have been improperly removed from a shelter or would like to submit a complaint against staff. Typically, grievances are reviewed within 3 days. 

The City has not diverted funding from the homeless shelter system to support the new arrival mission and we are working to enhance and expand services for unhoused Chicagoans. Mayor Johnson’s budget proposal includes $250 million continue investments in new, long-term homeless solutions, including developing new non-congregate shelter spaces and increasing permanent supportive housing options.  

The City identified the land through City, County, and State databases. The location met the initial assessment to stand up a base camp to shelter minimally 1,000 individuals including: over 10 acres of vacant land that may be able to place base camps. 

Upon site identification, the Alderperson was notified of the potential use as City departments began preliminary assessments. 

Following the notification, City Infrastructure departments conducted an assessment and performed due diligence of the site that included thus far: tree trimming, removing dead trees, removing debris, grading site for hazardous conditions, illuminating areas around the site, repairing alley lighting, determining if there is existing water and sewer lines, performing various environmental assessments, and bringing water and sewer to the site.  

At this time, the site will not be utilized for a base camp. The first report has been issued as of December 1st. See here. 

The first report was issued on December 1st. See here. 

The City will work with community-based organizations in the area and City agencies to develop strategies that address community’s needs and answer to safety concerns by standing up a shelter safety committee composed of shelter staff and residents, City departments, Chicago Police Department, representatives from the alderperson’s office, and community partners for ongoing planning and execution of strategies to keep shelter residents and staff safe along with the surrounding community. For example, the City will work with CPS and community organizations to increase the presence of safe passage workers.

The City will also have ongoing community engagement by meeting with organizations and community members in the area to provide updates and address areas of importance to ensure the safety of people inside the base camp and throughout the 12th Ward.  

Additionally: 

• We’re equipping shelters with equipment and resources to maintain secure facilities, including wands and metal detectors.
• We also work across City agencies and departments to ensure that each is part of the planning process. They are working to identify how they can contribute to preventing crime and safety issues, but their responses.
• We’re working to ensure that shelter staff know who to contact and how to reach them to ensure that the right dept/agency is notified when necessary.
• We’re organizing regional safety committees with various voices/perspectives, including community residents. These committees will meet on a regular and ongoing basis to identify issues, determine how best to utilize community assets and address issues in real time.
• We will also continue the strong partnerships we have with Community-Based Organizations and work collaboratively with our city agencies to continue focusing on safety for the entire city of Chicago.

Link to Environmental and Investigation and Correction Action Summary Report

Phase I Environmental Assessment