Officials, Local Organizations Search for Housing for Migrant Children

Deborah Bayliss | As of Thursday, July 31, 2014

Between Oct. 1, 2013 and June 15, 2014, over 52,000 children were apprehended at the U.S-Mexico border, and in 2014, an estimated 70,500 children are expected to be apprehended at the border.
Between Oct. 1, 2013 and June 15, 2014, over 52,000 children were apprehended at the U.S-Mexico border, and in 2014, an estimated 70,500 children are expected to be apprehended at the border.

City of Chicago officials and other local organizations reportedly are working to find one or more sites that could hold up to 1,000 beds for hundreds of unaccompanied children migrating from Central America to the U.S.-Mexico border in the coming year.

“The influx of unaccompanied child migrants is a growing humanitarian crisis that we can no longer ignore,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “While we have our own challenges at home, we cannot turn our backs on children who are fleeing dangerous conditions.  We will do our part to ensure that these children are given access to services and treated fairly and humanely.”

Earlier this month, the federal government approached the Mayor’s administration about the possibility of a federally-funded facility containing one thousand beds.  The federal General Services Administration (GSA) would oversee and fund the facilities while the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would fund support services for the children, including education, health care, food, security, and legal assistance.

“Sometimes the greatness of our nation and our city are tested and how we treat children in danger is one of those tests,” said Congressman Luis V. Gutiérrez (D-IL).  "I am proud to see Chicago lead by example on welcoming migrant children and working with them as their cases are resolved.  The Mayor has a lot of experienced community organizations and leaders to work with who can provide these children with the support and protection they need.” 

In response, the Emanuel administration is consulting with organizations that already provide housing and care for child migrants.  A host of organizations, including the Heartland Alliance and the National Immigrant Justice Center, currently provide housing and legal services to hundreds of children housed at multiple sites in the Chicago area.  

At the same time, the Mayor is working closely with Alderman Ed Burke (14th Ward) to engage additional organizations and institutions, like the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, willing to offer services to child migrants.

"The people of Chicago have a long history of welcoming not only immigrants but the disadvantaged,” said Alderman Ed Burke, (14th Ward), Chairman of the City Council Committee on Finance, “There are thousands of Chicagoans from all walks of life in neighborhoods across the City who are willing to do their part to help.”

 The Emanuel administration has engaged local organizations, like the National Immigration Justice Center (NIJC), to plan for the anticipated increase in children. 

To expand the capacity of organizations like the NIJC to spearhead a citywide pro bono effort, the City is supporting an application by Equal Justice Works, a nonprofit focused on providing public interest legal assistance, for a Department of Justice grant that would bring several additional attorneys to work with the NIJC in Chicago. 

Once sites are selected, the federal government will rehabilitate the site with a goal of welcoming the first group of child migrants by the end of the calendar year.  The City will continue to work with stakeholders to prepare for the arrival of the children.

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