Residents of Chicago’s Brighton Park neighborhood made their voices heard on Tuesday evening, as they rejected the city’s plan to house more illegal migrants in their community. The proposed encampment, which would accommodate approximately 2,000 migrants, was met with protest and disapproval from residents who were not consulted on the decision.
According to Fox 32 Chicago, the city has been searching for alternative shelter options for new arrivals as winter approaches, and the 10-acre empty lot at 38th and California was identified as a potential site. However, the lack of communication and transparency from city officials sparked frustration and backlash from the community.
“The city of Chicago has been identifying viable sites across the city to construct base camps as an alternative to new arrivals sleeping outdoors, at O’Hare and on the floors of police district stations as winter fast approaches,” a statement from the mayor’s office said, defending their decision. However, residents were not convinced and criticized the move, stating that the safety and well-being of their own neighborhoods should take priority.
The site at 38th and California would become the first “winterized base camp” under Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration, and residents raised concerns about the impact on their already overburdened resources. Ald. Julia Ramirez, who was accused of initiating the project without community input, spoke out against the lack of transparency and emphasized the need for the administration to involve residents in such important decisions.
Chicago Alderman Julia Ramirez was just chased into a car by an anti-illegal immigrant housing protest. She looks visibily shaken and in tears as police rushed her away from the scene.
Americans want the invasion to end. They want their communities back. pic.twitter.com/zOJ2EEJkja
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) October 19, 2023
“We have a few thousand people here who signed their signature and said ‘no! We said no!” one frustrated community member expressed at the meeting. Residents were worried about the safety of their children and the strain on local resources, as the city already struggles to address homelessness and other issues within their own community.
My statement on today’s protest and the temporary shelter at 38th & California pic.twitter.com/f5rs9IjsFr
— Alderwoman Julia Ramirez (@the12thward) October 19, 2023
The numbers do not lie, as the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications reported over 3,000 illegal immigrants awaiting shelter on Tuesday. This only adds to the concerns of residents who feel they are being burdened with the responsibility of accommodating those who have entered the country illegally.
Furthermore, the city’s decision to prioritize the needs of illegal immigrants over their own citizens is causing further frustration and disappointment among residents. With the proposed shelter in West Town set to start housing migrant families on November 1, residents worry about the consequences of overpopulating their community and the potential impact on their safety and resources.
In this situation, the needs and concerns of the residents of Brighton Park must be taken into consideration. As one community member emphasized, “We have a few thousand people here who said ‘no!’ We said no!” It is time for the city to listen and prioritize the well-being of their own citizens, rather than overburdening resources with illegal immigrants.