Ramirez Statement on New Shelter Policy for Immigrants, Asylum Seekers in Chicago

Chicago, IL – Today, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03) released the following statement after the City of Chicago announced a 60-day shelter stay limit for new arrivals in Chicago, combined with robust case management and workforce access:

"Today’s announced changes to Chicago’s shelter programs are a disappointing consequence of more than three decades of failed immigration policy choices and federal inaction. It is unacceptable that federal inaction and an inability to move a minimum of $5 billion in supplemental funding forward is creating austerity in our cities, pain for our immigrant communities, and a humanitarian crisis within and beyond our borders. I remain committed to continue working with Mayor Johnson, city and state officials, my colleagues in Congress, and the Administration to deliver needed federal resources and coordination. 

It is well past time we think beyond the border to ensure our immigrant communities achieve self-sufficiency and economic stability while we simultaneously address critical labor shortages across our nation. We must recognize the contributions of so many who have invested in America and are only waiting for a pathway for their contributions to be recognized by delivering comprehensive immigration solutions and a pathway to legal status for all those who just arrived or have called our nation home for decades."

BACKGROUND:

As the proud daughter of immigrants, the wife of a Dreamer, representative of IL-03, and the Vice Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez has worked tirelessly to humanly address immigration and bring resources back to the district since coming to Congress. Must notably, 

• Congresswoman Ramirez is co-leading the bipartisan American Dream and Promise Act, legislation that provides a pathway to citizenship for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) recipients.
• Congresswoman led colleagues of Illinois, New York, and California delegations on a congressional letter echoing the requests made by the mayors of Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, and New York City, urging the Biden Administration to ensure interior cities receive at least $5 billion in federal resources and support needed to provide shelter and essential life-saving services to asylum seekers. 
• On Wednesday, Ramirez also sent a letter to Congressional leadership urging legislators to avoid using immigrants as a bargaining chip during budget negotiation,  abandon three decades of failed policy, and address immigration beyond the border.