May 3, 2023
CHICAGO — Chicago has already been pushed to the max trying to find shelter for the waves of migrants who have arrived in recent weeks, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said. Some families have had to sleep on police station floors as officials try to quickly create more temporary shelters.
Even more migrants are expected to come to the United States in the weeks ahead, with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott writing in a letter to Lightfoot this week his state expects to see up to 13,000 migrants per day. He has said he will resume bussing migrants to Chicago and other cities.
“It’s an overwhelming situation,” said Karina Ayala-Bermejo, president and CEO of nonprofit Instituto del Progreso Latino. “We’re gearing up, but the total level of preparedness needed is not there.”