The Chicago Tribune is reporting that a “countless number” of Venezuelan illegal migrants in Chicago are fed up with the lack of opportunity they have found in the Windy City. With a Chicago winter fast approaching, they are headed back home to Venezuela, lamenting, “The American Dream doesn’t exist anymore.”
For the newly discouraged, the reality is sinking in. Not only is there no more space in shelters, it’s also apparent that many Chicagoans are opposed to opening more shelters. Many migrants are claiming they were misled when promised immediate asylum and work permits, which have not materialized. One migrant said she assumed she could work illegally, without a permit, but that hasn’t worked out. Another, while admitting to be only an economic migrant and thus ineligible for asylum, figured asylum would be quickly forthcoming nevertheless. Yet another, on his way out the door, said he had heard Chicago offered shelter, food, and other public benefits, but “That’s not true,” he said.
As of last Friday, about 20,700 migrants have arrived in Chicago since August 2022 when Texas Gov. Greg Abbott began sending migrants there. They continue arriving, even as others are leaving. Perhaps a Chicago winter (average high temp: 19 – 37 degrees Fahrenheit; average wind = 18.6 mph) will likely change some more minds.
Though some are returning all the way back to their home country, others are simply headed back to Texas, pointing out once again that this is a national problem and cannot be solved by a single state, regardless of how motivated.
For more, see the Chicago Tribune.