Refugee Rights will now come to order.
uh today we have 3 items on the agenda to vote on 2 of which
are resolutions introduced by Alder person Lopez on U Visa
dispersement as well as expansion of TPS for ecuadorians
and 1 introduced by myself. Uh, all the person Vasquez
regarding understanding and planning for the causes and
effects of climate change induced migration in Chicago. We
will begin with a roll call to establish quorum
uh Vice chair Taylor
uh Alder person Dell
Alder person Rodriguez
auto person goutieres
Alder person canson
Alder person Fuentes
Alder present Talya Ferro
alderwoman Cruise
uh Alder person Cardona
Alderman Rodriguez Sanchez
Alder person Ramirez Rosa
alderwoman manana hoppenworth
alderwoman Haden
And myself, uh chair Vasquez, there are 7 members present.
We have a quorum.
Uh, we also have uh with us.
Uh Alderman Raymond Lopez and Alderman Byron 6 Joe Lopez as
well as Vice chair, uh Walter Bernett non-members present.
At ottoman laspada, it's in here.
Okay.
Other person's had in Talya Ferro Rodriguez Sanchez
Fuentes, uh, and Lee have requested a virtual option for
Committee hearing attendance due to extenuating
circumstances in accordance with rule 59 of the city
council Rules of Order and procedure and with subsections 8
through D of section 7 of the open meetings act. Can I get
a motion to allow Alder person has Haden Tyler
Thank you, uh Rodriguez Sanchez ventes Lee to attend, uh,
the hearing virtually. So moved by alderwoman Dowell
hearing no objection so ordered
Uh, we will go a little out of order before public comment,
uh to accept some substitutes. Uh, my understanding is
members are willing to introduce.
Uh, yes, uh, Alderman Cardona
thank you chairman, um at this moment, I would love uh for
for the for the committee to accept the substitute, uh that
we are um intending to to hear today. Um, I was wondering
if you could accept the substitute for the Ecuadorian. Um,
The integration services and also for the uh Ecuadorian
citizens fled Homeland.
Um, so that was new Visa sorry. So the U visa and
Ecuadorian, okay. Um, those are introduced, uh,
Okay, uh, can I have a motion? Well, you have motion to
introduce all those in favor. Say I
any opposed
All right, and opinion share the eyes have it is now
introduced. Thank you very much. Automic Cardona.
All right.
back in order
at this time, we'll begin the public comment period the
period is limited 30 minutes out of respect for everyone's
Time Each speaker is limited to
3 minutes
Uh remote speakers will comment first followed by those in
person as of 1 p.m. Monday, July 1st, 2024 zero collars, uh
have have requested to speak at the committee on immigrant
and Refugee Rights. So we will move on to in-person
speakers. Our first speaker will be Mr. George, Blakemore.
followed by Mark, uh kaer
and look great illegal immigrant
Uh, uh, Emma Grant is someone who comes somewhere.
Refugee is someone who's looking for a safe place?
black folks never been immigrant
They never been refugees and today I'm seeing what Biden
saying bringing up another class in Ecuadorian and from
Mexico and Venezuela. These people are refugees looking for
a home. Like the B Weaver black people was brought here
enslaved here.
So and what's so egregious is the government have zero
quota for black people.
In the black guys for from Ghana from Haiti from Nigeria
Liberia from Ethiopia from Cameroon. No Blackport the
governments do not the government has zero for us.
The government don't want them here.
Don't want them here. This is a government United States.
Brought us here enslaved us. We're not refugees. We're not
immigrants and we have black faces. It's sitting in high
places that voters.
God damn
We still got our party we never.
Preparation for us to restore to our greatness. It's
something evil here and I'm not opening door and let it be
it's a many black.
When I came here and I'm barely at the door to get it here
now you you too and then when you when you want the court,
I didn't mean to arrest Mr. Blackmore. Yes. She did. You
told him to lock me up.
Say I just told him put him out you did.
Huh? We have no leadership.
No, Niger.
Niger
do you understand what I said the government have they
don't want me?
I don't want to be a king you understand. Can you comprehend
comprehend can you comprehend and then you oh look here.
Uhuh. You all might you might be refugees, but my people
work in slave Hill.
So we got no need.
Thank you, Mr. Blake Moore.
Our next speaker is uh, Mark Kerr.
Good afternoon. My name is Mark Keener. I'm a member at
first Immanuel Lutheran Church over at uh, Ashland and
Roosevelt.
And I've been working with the uh Ministry team at first
Emmanuel.
to uh serve Asylum seekers in our neighborhood
First Immanuel is also part of a network of dozens of
Lutheran Churches throughout Chicago land.
There are working to provide spiritual social and physical
resources for our new neighbors.
We take very seriously the loving responsibility given to us
by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
We've been working hard to provide hot meals.
food pantry supplies clothing housing English classes and
other social services
to our brothers and sisters who are seeking Asylum
here in Chicago seeking a new and better life.
And we are grateful to the city of Chicago that we are on
the same page and so many ways.
But improvements need to be made.
I am here today to call on Mayor Johnson and the city of
Chicago.
To put it in to the 60-day Limit.
on the shelters housing Asylum Seekers
There is no shortage of space.
Currently less than half of the 15,000 beds are in use.
And evicting individuals who need desperately need
temporary housing will only increase homelessness.
Eviction will make life more difficult.
For people who have already had so much to bear.
and adding additional hardships
does not teach anyone's self-reliance.
As a matter of fact, some people will even use this
immigration situation for political advantage.
And sheep shots, especially with the Democratic National
Convention coming up here in in town next month.
So I asked that all of you.
do what you can
To put an end to the 60-day policy I ask you to do what you
can to support my church and the other churches and social
service agencies that are working so hard to provide for
our brothers and sisters in need and I asked you to do what
you can to express solidarity with our new neighbors here
in town seeking Asylum.
Thank you very much. Uh, the next speaker is Zoe Lee.
Well, this is uh immigration rights. But um, you know, I
know I'm fighting the city of Chicago for my mom property
illegally demolished, and I'm just looking at this.
Fraudulent deed, uh that the Chicago city of Chicago 1 of
their employees went over and made real quick. But thank
you to Cook County.
Cedric Giles and his legal team. They helped me find that
so, uh
appreciate that
but moving on to this immigration.
Scam that's going on in the city of Chicago.
I was with my uh God son son Sunday. And uh, he is actually
in basic training going to the Navy and we were walking in
High Park and uh, there was some homeless black homeless
people and he had his little dollars and he was you know,
giving his money out then we walked past this. Um,
family of probably about 4 kids and a wife and a mother
undocumented, uh in a legal immigrant that's uh in front of
The Target and we're walking past. He doesn't say nothing.
We get a Target he like
This is a scam and I'm like why you say it's a scam. He
said look at their shoes.
brand new Air Maxes all 6 people
and then I start looking at all of them on every corner
that's downtown.
That's in River North that's even up on 95th.
They have brand new everything and they have this.
Thing like this basket of candy and it's all the same
candy. They have everything it like it's a scam and y'all
know it's a scam.
and I know y'all saw that embarrassing debate the other day
and your man don't even have
He he don't even know what to do. Biden has no first of
all, he don't even know his name. But Biden has no idea
what to do. He can't even speak on the crisis, but I will
say this.
You know, everyone wants us to have dignity when it comes
to the migrant crisis, but when them patience was trying to
get over here.
when Biden was in office
they was whooping them to get back over to Haiti.
They were not let in like how
Uh, the the the the Venezuelans anybody that's that's
Hispanic immigrant anybody that's coming from Ukraine who
they really are dealing with something but Venezuela Tik
Tok every it. There's nothing going on in Venezuela.
There's nothing going on to the point that all this money.
This is an illegal. This is like a RICO real talk and y'all
going to jail like I promise y'all y'all going to jail.
Thank you very much. Uh next speaker is Michael Young bae.
if you read my paper down there, I wrote uh
I say I'm I'm for the migrants and Refugee Rights.
If you read that.
right
So you can refer to me as Miguel.
for the time period
because it seemed like that's the only way we can get
something.
Maybe if y'all if I'm a migrant, you know because the more
Americans as I am, the more bites is the first inhabitants
of this land everybody else need to go back.
Everybody all them Europeans y'all put them Russians and
stuff. Y'all putting in them condo buildings downtown.
You see like they mentioned y'all do.
the melanated people any kind of way
any kind of way?
And it's wrong.
Man, you got the European just come up here and talk about
something Jesus. Jesus ain't with you.
all that group all that church
Jesus don't hear you because if Jesus heard you you won't
be down here.
He would have asked you before you got down here to beg for
some money.
Stop playing with our people because we tear this
motherfuker up y'all y'all lose.
y'all lose and I don't care what nobody think about me or
how I speak Etc because our C because that's all some of
you n***** understand and n***** Ain't Got to Be melanated.
n**** is a word in the dictionary. They use it every day
Etc. That's not nothing racial.
Some people take pride in calling their self niggars.
So, don't try to correct me. I got freedom of speech.
I don't know who the hell y'all think y'all is cuz you
ain't going to take my freedom of speech.
People don't did it all and say it all kind of stuff down
here. Maybe that's all the niggars understand. See y'all
hear that s***. Y'all hear the cussing y'all hear the
ignorance. Y'all hear that. Oh, he said this oh, oh, oh,
wow! Oh this came up, but when we talk, right?
Y'all don't hear that.
Yeah, y'all can walk up out of here. You got a European
man. You ain't got no race Pride. She be lying Janette tell
us and I'm going to vote for this. I'm going to vote for
that and leave and and and and and and and and go for it's
a young baby. I ask you to direct your comments to the
chair. Please ask the I'm picking. I'm speaking to the
public this public speaking.
I'm speaking to the public. Check your tone. I keep telling
y'all. I'm I'm I'm not the 1 and I'm going through a lot
and I'm not the 1.
You don't tell me you y'all do that with Mayor Johnson
directed to the chair. I'm speaking to the public ain't no
clown here.
You see that's why I say but if I would have cussed you out
in the direct you in that matter, then you would have
understood where I was coming from. I wouldn't have to go
through this to waste my time on nonsense addressing you.
So get yourself together and you better.
You better thank you Mr. Yung Bae. Thank you for your time.
next speaker
Miss Jessica Jackson
next speaker
so
it's kind of wild right that we get locked outside the
door, but y'all open up the borders for a whole bunch of
illegals to come in.
That's a little while right? But anyway.
since we here talking about
immigration and people rights and all this I'm gonna have
to give it to you again a little reminder of what this
really is, right?
Negroes for sale
by public auction
on Thursday 10:00 a.m.
The 12th of April 1848 Prime and healthy at odds auction
house.
2 Cumberland Street, Charleston, South Carolina
25 Phil hands trained at home and chopping thrashing
bailing plowing peaceful lot.
No trouble makers.
Strong can work in the heat all day long.
10 boys being taught to drive wagons and fetch quick
learners
18 women
8 with Future Insurance, meaning that you gonna breed them.
all
House trained, you know like the Negroes in here.
How house trained they are. Yeah like that like that.
Clean cooking ironing making beds 6 girls.
girls
Comely quiet, but now just getting into puberty. Just
getting into puberty.
Uhuh.
and headstrong manageable
1 female Superior cook and excellent scene stress also for
sale at 1:00.
plow horses
cows Hogs 1 Prime bull 5 heads of goats and 2 wagons. So
now
so now
you want to talk about who should get what?
You want to talk about who should get what?
You want to talk about Jesus? Let's talk about the master.
Cuz we ain't worried about no law. God is on our side. We
have chosen people. So whatever y'all want to pull up in
here today and from here on out. It ain't going to last
it's going to sink.
It's going to sink and it's going to sink cuz we're God's
chosen people. We the Alpha and the Omega we the beginning
and the end. You better know what's real. Now. Y'all come
in here and get your money for your nonprofits and pimp us.
So watch what's going to happen?
Thank you. Miss Jackson. Uh, next speaker is Esmeralda
Elan.
Hello, good afternoon. My name is aespala LaRon immigration
organizer with BPNC and I'm here today to not solely not
solely as an organizer. But as a humanitarian lifelong
Chicago residents residents of the 11th ward and someone
who wants to see a positive change.
I would like to speak to you all about the 60-day shelter
policy.
The 60-day shelter policy simply put is harmful policy that
costs the city more and re-traumatize this new arrivals.
It removes the 1 constant thing these families have not to
mention small children that are stripped of their sense of
security.
As we come closer to the DNC being hosted we have the
opportunity to demand more from the federal government.
They have failed to hold Texas accountable and have failed
to support us with the adequate resources needed.
We have to collectively call them out on their failure.
Despite whatever rhetoric is spewed people are coming for a
better life than the 1 they've experienced.
These are folks forced to leave their homes due to the
impacts of US foreign policy.
As a sanctuary City, we have to stand against policy that
Deport detain and deter immigrants. I will continue to
organize to ensure. We remain we remain welcoming for all.
I urge you all here in this room. The mayor's office dfss,
oemc and all to continue conversations with iser and BPNC
and other organizations doing work with new arrivals to
create better policy moving forward.
It is easy to create policy when you aren't directly
affected by it and not affected by the repercussions of
said policy. I challenge you to step outside of that.
I urge you to begin to show up and do better.
We know the ways that this is directly affected real
families. And that is why I am here in front of you all
today.
History remembers names and actions and I want to be on the
right side knowing I did what I could with the platform. I
have the privilege of holding.
Now it's time to put in the work work together and be the
city I know and well and love welcoming to all who come.
Thank you.
Before the next speaker goes I will give 1 War not to
interrupt while other people are speaking or you will be
asked to leave. I want to make sure it's formally on the
record before doing. So just as other people were giving
her time to speak I ask that you allow other people their
time as well. Thank you.
Next speaker is uh Lewis cini.
Good afternoon.
My name is Louise CI and Chicago has been my home for more
than 30 years.
I graduated from Russa High School in 1990.
6
and later on I went to University and got my computer
science degree at Northeastern, Illinois University.
I was born in Ecuador and immigrated to Chicago in 1992.
To reunite with my parents and my siblings who were born
here.
Oh, by the way, I have only seen them in pictures and just
couple couple couple times when they travel down there.
I'm here to call Mayor Johnson and the city council
members.
To support potential protection for all human beings coming
for Refugee in our city.
including the Ecuadorian community
and do not
think picking and choosing is the way to build solidarity.
But rather a strong effort to advocate for all immigrants
living in the shadows.
computer science Informatica
University
I
No.
Mass
Thank you very much. The next speaker is Taiwan Sims.
Okay, so the gentleman who said about the word into it?
First Timothy 58 but if any provide not for his own
especially for those of his own of his own house he have
denied the faith and is worse than an infidel.
So 143 that's Federal. That's 143 million Federal.
80 million that's state.
72 million, that's the city.
corporate fund
150 million was passed by the city council.
So we have a Chicago's migrant crisis, but this was the
initiative behind this was the word and behind the
initiative to implement to implement comprehensive
data-driven to improve humanitarian crisis State. Um State
count this these are the people behind the state county and
City. This is JB pritzker.
There's been a 300 million dollar.
Um
I guess gift put into this the new our new neighbors. That
was the wording that the gentleman used.
wow, wait
So my HMI, my my hmis number is 3555061. I'm 1 individual
right? I'm still homeless.
They started 2 shelter that will house 950 so-called new
new neighbors.
750 that's in High Park, which is predominantly black
American.
It's amazing though this morning. We this morning we had
should have been having a public safety. So 27 year old 27
shot 4 fadley since June 3rd 2 Men wounded in the drive by
that's June 29th. 74 year old critically injured and that's
July 7th. 31 year old west Rock.
Largest park, that's June 8th, um what 24 year old shot and
accept this was a concealed carry the 24 year old was shot
the the 17 year old in an argument. She was stabbed 60 year
old woman.
In the arson 62 year old man in the Arts and this just
happened burglary all of these different things that's
happening. But we talking about immigration.
But like he said if you're not taking care of your own
house then what are you considered?
Maybe like somebody that shouldn't even be in it a infidel.
But y'all don't consider the Black American plight, but
y'all put so much money into this new initiative this new
arrivals initiative. That's the way y'all word it the city
council.
Who had set what 150 million 3 up to the tune of 300
million dollars now.
But still we suffering what 40 what 42 shot.
8 killed that's in the weekend. That was this weekend. I
suppose.
But past weekends in these previous months.
Still host those same number.
Thank you, Mr. Simmons.
And our Founders final speaker is Katherine, uh, Elias or
alias.
Hi, I'm Katherine Alias. I'm a member of Chicago
asian-americans for environmental justice and we will
hardly support Chicago welcoming climate migrants to our
great City.
As asian-americans our communities have a history of
migrating for a married of reasons and all people deserve a
life of safety.
Western countries like the US have enjoyed the result of
large carbon emissions while other countries are often
bearing the brunt of the cost.
Is our responsibility as Americans to welcome migrants who
are suffering from climate disasters.
In Chicago, we are lucky to have access to fresh water and
be free from some disasters like hurricanes and wildfires.
Many of the migrants currently being busted up by Governor
Abbott can be considered climate migrants in addition to
being political asy. It is clear that they have been
through deeply devastating circumstances and we must do
better as a city to invest in what will be surely and
ongoing influx of immigrants.
when we allocate resources to respond and care for climate
migrants, we must also ensure that there are resources and
infrastructures to serve Chicagoans who are currently
facing the brunt of climate issues here.
It is critical that the city contains the social networks
and neighborhoods and communities because as we know from
the horrific 1995 Heatwave in all the families and
communities impacted by it social bonds in addition to
sufficient infrastructure are key mitigators of death.
Chicago must prepare for the ongoing the ongoing impacts of
climate change and that includes those who are facing the
brunt of impacts currently here and those coming. Thank
you.
Thank you very much.
Thank you to all of our speakers today. I would like to
note that this committee received no written public
comments. These written public comments have not been sent
out because we didn't receive any um,
The time for public comment has expired public comment
period is now concluded we'll begin with the routine
matters of the committee.
Our first item is the approval of the March rule 45 report
in your packet. Can I have a motion to approve the March
rule 45 report?
So moved by alderwoman manual hoppenworth hearing no
objection so ordered, uh, the first item on the agenda
before our committee is R 2023-25, which is a call for
hearings with Chicago Police Department and Chicago Law
Department regarding the status of you non-immigrant status
certifications, uh policies for approval denial and
collection of data.
Alderman Lopez as you are the chief sponsor, I'll pass it to
you to make any remarks and introduce any panelists you
have we have a 20 minutes total for the item and I will
indicate when we have 5 minutes left. Um so we can um wrap
up.
Uh other person or other than Lopez, thank you chairman and
good afternoon members of the committee. Um, I want to
thank you for hearing this resolution with regards to U
visas, which are granted to individuals who are
undocumented but are the victims of violent crime in an
effort to allow them some
Semblance of safety and coming forward and Reporting and
finding Justice. Um
this originally came to our attention following uh a report
by Injustice watch in 2022. If I'm not mistaken, uh by
Carlos by arrows we talked about the
Lack of certification being issued for those individuals.
Um, since then we have called for hearings. There's been an
executive order called for hearings again. And here we are
today to ensure that what is owed to victims of violent
crime.
In our city is being fully implemented, uh in line with
what was passed, uh by the state of Illinois in 2019.
With that. Um, I'm going to defer to our
Uh guests here today because I think that her words are are
more impactful than my own on this. Um, but the goal is to
ensure that we have continuous, uh hearings both with uh,
this committee as well as the committee on police and fire,
um to ensure that we are actually operating in accordance
with the law and with the spirit of
our values
so with that.
Yeah, if you could um, please uh for the record introduce
yourself before you as representing. Thank you. Absolutely.
My name is Tricia tiafoe olave. I work at the national
immigrant Justice Center. Thank you Alderman Lopez chair
Vasquez and the committee for allowing me to speak. Uh, my
area of expertise is U visas and U visas are a form of
non-immigrant relief for non-citizen victims of crime as
part of the U visa application process a victim of
qualifying criminal activity must obtain a certification
from a law enforcement agency that has investigated or
prosecuted the crime of which they have been a victim and
so as you can imagine here in the city of Chicago the
Chicago Police Department is responsible for signing
certifications for a large number.
of non-citizen victims of crime
signing a u Visa certification does not Grant someone
immigration status that responsibility lies solely with the
federal government the US citizenship and Immigration
Services.
An individual who is applying for a u Visa must fulfill a
number of requirements in order to obtain U Visa status.
But as I mentioned 1 of the most important components of
that application is obtaining a certification from a law
enforcement agency who has investigated or prosecuted the
crime.
Illinois Law requires that law enforcement agencies do
reporting and training.
To be in compliance with our voices Act and the Illinois
Way Forward act and it is my understanding based on the
resolution. Um in question that
the um purpose here is to ensure that law enforcement
agencies are in compliance with state law and
um obtaining the prior the proper training and doing the um
requisite reporting for purposes of U Visa certification.
I can answer any questions that you have about U visas and
I can speak to um
the
application process and the certification process if anyone
has questions
Yeah, I have questions. Thank you. Um, I guess I'll start
um, I know I saw in the story at first, uh broken about
this, um, and I was curious as to how it's being reported
out from CPD as to how many you're giving out how many
instances or how many people apply is that information
being shared publicly?
That's a good question. So I don't work for CPD. Um,
actually, I have the same information that you have, you
know, when we have clients who are requesting
certifications from CPD. We are in communication with the
office about those specific requests, but I don't have any
further information about their reporting practices. Uh, I
did read all of the um articles from Injustice watch and I
did see the letter there was a letter from the Illinois
Attorney General's office to CPD directing them to be in
compliance and I believe that letter was written last year.
So, I don't know if anything has changed since that time.
Okay, um as a follow-up, um 1 I thank you. I obviously not
being CPD but you you mentioned um, there will be people
who need your help to kind of start the process and get
that going. Do you have tracking on what those numbers look
like as far as the people you've helped how many have moved
forward how many of them are still waiting on sure. So I
should clarify that a lot of our clients come to us. Once
they have the certification in hand or they'll come to us
to determine if they are eligible and we explain to them
the entire process and we advise them to gather the
multitude of documents that they'll need for this, um
application process and the certification is just 1 of
those things. So we usually encourage uh Crime Victims to
obtain the certification on their own if possible. And then
if they have trouble we will assist and so, you know, the
Chicago Police Department actually has a very um, open
process for applicants to submit
A request for U Visa certification, so that part is not so
difficult. But because most of our clients are able to
obtain the certification or try to obtain the certification
on their own. I don't have
actual numbers about how many people are denied when they
come to us if they have had trouble then we can assist in
trying to obtain a certification or appealing a negative.
Um decision that they may have obtained got it. Okay. Thank
you. That's all the questions. I have to do any other
members have questions.
uh Vice chair any questions, uh
Uh, yes.
Oh, sorry. Uh, yes if you'd like to answer your question
absolutely don't.
Uh, I just want to uh point out chairman as it's mentioned
in the resolution when it was written.
um
in the 2 years prior
the city of Chicago denied nearly double what our peers
did.
So I think that's part of the emphasis for this resolution
to understand 1 what the criterias are. Um, some of the
best practices that we've seen from other, uh,
Institutions and organizations is that you have to have
that written you have to have that available. You have to
have it accessible. Clearly. Those are issues that we're
having difficulty with now a reluctance by the department
to join us today is evidence of that. Uh, but the fact that
you know in a time span where New York and La uh, denied
300 and 150 and 350 respectively and we denied over 800. I
think there's something seriously wrong with that equation.
Yeah. I I'm in agreement with you. I think through the
chair we'll submit questions at the CPD to find out what
the numbers are and see if there's a month-to-month
reporting.
Um, if we don't get those answers, I look forward to
partnering with you to change it from resolution to
ordinance to get some reporting if you're open to it, uh
alderwoman Cruise.
Thank you chairman. Um a quick question regarding a
follow-up question. How long does it take to receive a
certification?
Fortunately, the voices act does have a time frame whereas
a law enforcement agency is required to respond to a u Visa
certification request within 90 business days. There are
certain exceptions such as if the applicant is in
Immigration detention or in removal proceedings or has a
family me member who will age out of U Visa eligibility.
Then the time frame goes down to 21 business days and we
have generally seen historically that CPD is good about
responding to requests there was a time period I think in
about 2022 ish where um, there were significant delays, but
that seems to have been remedied
Okay, so but you typically see within 90 days you get a no
response. Yeah, and sometimes even faster. So what is walk
me through the process if if somebody gets the denied for a
certification. I know you mentioned about your office, you
know intervene. So what what it will be the process or even
give us an example. Yeah, that's a great question. So I
should say that um what's in practice isn't nessus.
Necessarily advertised. So if you go to the Chicago Police
Department's website, there isn't a website that walks
people through the application process. So I do think that
is where there's room for improvement. Um, if somebody
without representation where to get denied, I don't think
that they would very clearly know what their options are
because we do this so frequently our office knows that we
can appeal to the CPD legal department and they are the
ones who are supposed to be reviewing all denials before
they go out the door. And so we have had success when there
are improper denials and what I mean by that is maybe a
certification was denied, uh, because the original officer
believed that the person was not actually a victim of a
crime or they improperly denied it, um stating that the
person did not um, suffer substantial harm or something
like that. Those are improper denials. So we have
had success appealing those to the CPD legal department.
Um, but 1 of my main concerns is that not everybody is
going to be able to afford representation or have access to
representation. This process should be transparent enough
that anyone who's a victim of a qualifying crime can easily
obtain the certification that they're eligible for.
Thank you. Thank you very much. Uh any other questions?
Yep, Mr. Chairman.
Yes.
This is almond. Yep. Yeah, I got you.
We got you on rule 59 and uh, have you here, uh in
attendance on the record? Thank you. Alderman.
uh Alderman 6 your Lopez
Yeah, thank you. And and just um, I know that you the
request was made through the chair. Um, I do think it's
worth it for the committee to look at the Injustice watch
report and work with Inspector General to look at any
systemic. Um issues just given the population, uh in both
New York City and LA versus you know, or city. I think that
the just the numbers on its own Justified, um, um, not only
an investigation but changes in practices. I do think that
we do have a broken immigration system. And I think it's
critical that we uh, hold our own institutions to Fair
processes. So just want to request that on addition to what
all women Crews already cast. Absolutely. Thank you. I
think I also furthermore asked for like a breakdown if
possible of like what crimes have been included as far as
the application because I think getting a sense of what the
range of what we're talking about is important. So we'll
submit that to the chair, uh and asked uh CBD thank you for
that. Yep, uh Alderman, uh Rodriguez
Well to the road to the resolution I wanted to thank the
sponsor and the chair for highlighting this important, uh
issue and for our panelists as well, um, you know, just to
speak to the to the to the importance of U. Visa is very
quickly.
You know.
I I've had migrant.
uh, uh women particularly victims of domestic violence
um
Who have been the victims of predatory practices and have
withheld information for fear of deportation or or other
matters, uh, you know.
the plight of those who are
In this space is just dramatic. I've seen it locally. Uh
You know a woman and her daughter just shot and you know
blocks from my house not a year or 2 ago. Um, and you know,
I think this is a complex issue very nuanced and it touches
so many people, um, that really aren't serviced well in our
our system so the pro the the ability to Leverage
um
This special status is critically important in for our
Police Department potentially.
uh
To be hindering. This process is particularly problematic
to me and I'm glad the sponsors raised this. I'm glad um
that we're talking about this. Um, and you know, just thank
you very much for you know, your work. It is God's work and
I appreciate it.
Thank you very much.
uh Alum worth
Thank you chair. And uh, thank you to CPD for being here.
Um and also for the sponsor of this resolution, I also want
to thank um, Alder Mike Rodriguez for your
comments it this is a very important topic to
to touch on and I'm interested in the data that we get back
through the chair. Um, I'm wondering what
Can be shared in this meeting, um to automatic offices who
who have um instances where uh, for instance. Um, women who
come they don't feel safe. What is it that we can do to
help um guide them in the right direction.
Because we want we do want to be the first um place that
they can go to for for refuge and for resources and um to
point them in the right direction. What can we do to help?
That's that's a complicated question. But I would say I
think that uh, the first step being uh talking about this
here is very important because elevating the issue so that
people are aware that this form of relief even exists. If
you have immigrant victims of domestic violence and other
crimes they deserve to know that they are El that this
relief exists and that they are eligible for this form of
relief. And so I think that making that information aware
educating the community and helping to improve the
relations between the community and law enforcement in
order that people can seek out this certification as your
colleague mentioned. This is a very nuanced issue and all
of these survivors of crime have experienced trauma going
to request a certification should not trigger that trauma
again, they shouldn't be subjected to more trauma in order
to obtain a relief that they are eligible for. So I applaud
the committee here for raising this and hopefully we can
all make this process better.
for our neighbors
Thank you. Thank you. I appreciate it, you know in the in
the Edgewater area we have you know over 40 languages
spoken in our public schools and uh language access is very
important and I have gotten stopped on on the sidewalks. Um
by refugees women who said please fight for us, you know,
we're we we need help. So, um any information that you can
share with us through caps through CPD would be very much
appreciated. Thank you.
Thanks chair. Thank you Alder laspada.
Thank you very much cheer, very glad I could come down and
be a part of the conversation with your committee.
I I did have 1 question.
Apologies if it's already been answered but was CPD as to
participate in today's committee meeting and do they give a
a reason for their inability to participate today?
Thank you for the question. I will defer to the chief
sponsor if you'd like to answer us the request for CPD.
yes, CBD was aware CPD wanted to do
We closed our briefings.
I wanted a public discussion.
And here we are.
I'm glad you asked for the public discussion. Thank you.
Thank you chair as am I thank you, uh any other questions
All right, uh ask questions have now concluded. Uh, can I
have a motion to vote on The Substitute s 2023-2
Uh, there's a vote on the resolution and move it forward.
And I have a motion for the vote.
So moved by Alderman Rodriguez. Um
all in favor pass and resolution respond by saying I
all the all those opposed say nay
and the opinion of the chair the eyes have it.
I report this vote at the recommendation to pass at the
next city council on July 17th 2024.
Uh this next item on the agenda before our committee is es
202400000073, which is a call for US President Biden and
Secretary of Homeland Security to process requests for
temporary protected status or TPS to Ecuadorian, uh
citizens migrating to the United States. Uh, Alderman
Lopez, I'll once again pass it to you to make any remarks
and introduce any panelists.
You have uh, we have 20 minutes total for the item. So I
will indicate we have 5 minutes left and when it's time to
wrap up.
Uh other I will I will run right through this chairman. And
again, thank you, uh for hearing this today. Thank you to
the members of the committee. Uh, this is to discuss, uh
calling on the on President Biden and the federal
government to support temporary protective status for
ecuadorians who come to the United States oftentimes fling
some very violent situations back home. Currently temporary
protective status is provided to Afghanistan Burma
Cameroon, El Salvador Ethiopia Haiti Honduras, Nepal
Nicaragua, Syria, Somalia, Sudan South Sudan, Ukraine,
Venezuela and Yemen. Um, I will start by introducing the
consul General uh of Ecuador.
Uh, Alberto a menz to lead us off here.
Thank you. Good morning. First of all, thank you chair
Basquez for convening this meeting and and all the members
of the committee for considering this Draft today. Thanks
the thanks again.
I just want to highlight the couple of things.
early this year
the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador submitted the
TPS application for Ecuador
a few days later Mr. Raymond Lopez. Pardon me if we can get
the microphone a little closer. Okay, and can you please uh
introduce your first and last name for the record? Okay. My
name is Zoe Jimenez. I'm the consul general of Ecuador in
Chicago.
I'm going to repeat. Thank you chair Lopez for convening
this meeting and thank you all the members of the committee
on immigration for considering this drop the resolution
today.
early this year
In february in January, sorry in January the Minister of
Foreign Affairs of Ecuador submitted the TPS application
for my country for Ecuadorian citizens.
A few days later Mr. Raymond Lopez a publicly supported
this this this application.
As well as many other members of this committee.
Such as Mr. Byron sexual Lopez who is a very good friend of
us.
Also, Mr. Carlo Ramirez Sosa.
And I I want to underscore the letter signed by or or friend
friend the chairperson of the Chicago city council Latino
caucus.
Means Rosana Rodriguez. She sent a letter to
Mr. Blinken as well as Mr. Mayor mayoras supporting the
application, um presented by our Minister of Foreign
Affairs.
Citizens, um here in Chicago in the US. It's very
important.
We are hardworking people.
The details of of or situation here in the US is contained
in the application the facts and the figures are contained.
I are containing that application.
I'm sure that you all have the the text of that
application. If not, we all we will will send it to to you
right now. My my friend is going to
give you some concrete details about our situation. Good
afternoon everyone. Thank you so much for this space. Um
elderman Raymond. My name is Ed freeze and I am proud, uh
to be a teacher at women dedicated to advocating for
indigenous rights and they their well-being.
With a background in economics and policy analysis. I have
used my skills to address the complex challenges of our
indigenous communities in this era.
Currently, I work as a researcher at Northwestern
University and I have been honored with the position of
community scientists at the same Institution.
And I direct the pakama foundation which is committed to
promoting sustainability development and cultural
preservation for the indigenous communities.
Growing up in Ecuador. I witnessed firsthand the struggle
and resilience of my people.
This experience full my passion for creating Sustainable
Solutions to uplift our communities.
at Foundation I focus on research the highlights the
economic and social disparities faced by indigenous
populations ensuring that our voices are heard and our
needs are addressed.
After that said, uh, I would like to um present the
indigenous Ecuadorian challenges and the advocacy for the
TPS.
Um next slide, please Puja. Thank you so much. Um, I'm going
to talk about the displacements from traditional lands
indigenous Ecuadorian significant challenges due to land
grabbing and resource exploitation in 202021. The
Ecuadorian government approved new mining consens in the
Amazon region affecting indigenous territories, according
to a 2022 report by the Amazon watch over 200,000 of
histories of indigenous land have been allocated for mining
projects without proper consultation this place and
thousands of indigenous residents in the region.
Environmental degradation for their exaggerates the
situation despite legal victories like the wahrani
community protecting half of a million acres for oil
drilling in 2022 other areas continue to face threats.
the rainforest Action Network report that oil spills in the
Ecuadorian Amazon have affected over 20,000 indigenous
people in the same, uh in The Last 5 Years contaminating
water soces and farmland.
Next please. Uh Puja. Thank you.
I want to talk about the economic marginalization.
Property and lack of opportunity the co 19 pandemic
exacerbated economic inequalities hidden indigenous
communities particularly particularly, very hard indigenous
communities.
uh re uh, Reliant or an informal labor face job losses and
increase poverty rates at 2023 a study by the akhlaaq found
that the poverty rate among indigenous Ecuadorian search to
68% during the pandemic compared to the national average of
32%
It is a lot.
cultural preservation and challenges
the erosion of cultural practices
Urban immigration has led to a decline in the use of
indigenous languages among younger Generations in 2023 the
equatorian Ministry of Education reporter fewer children
learning kitra, which is our native language and sure in
schools the UNESCO 2023 reported a classifies kitchen as
vulnerable with the number of fluent speakers declining
rapidly to the immigration and assimilation pressures.
and point number 2 discrimination and a a simulation
pressures pressures
in 2023 indigenous ecuadorians in the u USA reported
increased incidence of discrimination and racial profiling
making it difficult to maintain their cultural identity and
tradition at 2023 survey by the fuel Research Center found
that 42% of indigenous migrant migrants in the US have
experienced discrimination impacting their ability to
preserve cultural practices and Community cohesion.
I want to go to I want to touch the political crisis in
Ecuador.
Which is a big problem for the immigration problem, uh
situation happening right now.
Ecuador faces significant political instability in 2023
with frequent changes in government leadership why to
spread protests and civil unrest the impeachment of
President gilliar mollosso and subsequent political turmoil
led to increase uncertainty and insecurity for many
citizens.
The international crisis group reported it over 200 Civic
significant protests and Strikes in 2023. We are talking
about 200 significant protests and Strikes.
in 1 year
many led by indigenous groups demanding better economical
and social conditions
indigenous communities have been at the Forefront of this
protests the money the money in respect.
For their rights and the the better economic opportunities.
And uh enter resources exploitation.
These protests have often been met with violent repression.
Human Rights Watch reported in 2022 that over 100
indigenous protesters were injured and doesn't arrest do
arrested during clashes with security forces.
Uh next I want to touch cartels and human trafficking which
is a big uh the issue in our Chicago Society right now.
As you know, as you know, cartel essay the Albanian cartel
and other cartels are located in Ecuador.
The cartel involvement drug cartels and criminal
organization is the Ecuador. I have increasingly turned to
human trafficking as a source of source of Revenue is a big
business happening these groups charge extra exorbitant
fees to his model individuals across borders often subjects
them to dangerous and inhumane conditions. We are talking
about kids and women being raped and violated over and over
and over again.
Increase of incidents the United Nations office and drugs
and crime reported it in 2023 the human trafficking
incidents in Ecuador increased by 40% We are talking 40%
double um in the past 5 years.
Which many victims being indigenous my people?
my people
people seeking to escape poverty and violence.
violence and exploitation
indigenous migrant
attempting to cross into the United States often fall prey
to human traffickers a 20123 report by the International
Organization for migration i m found and 60% of Ecuadorian
migrants who cross the US border face some form of violence
of or exploitation by criminal groups. Again, we are
talking about women being raped. It's being raped and being
killed as well.
Next please Puja. Thank you.
Advocacy points for the TPS. I want to go to the
humanitarian grounds point the human cause of displacement
and violence is exemplified by stories. Like um, Rosa an
indigenous women from the kitra community who've played
political violence and threats from the cartels in 2023.
She now lives in the United States struggling with legal
status and economic stability the International
Organization for migration estimates that the at least
15,000 indigenous ecuadorians have been displaced by
political violence and cartel activity since 2020. I think
the the statistics have increased. I don't have the the
amount the data but uh, I if a further need I will provide
that information.
This community charting concerns underscored the Urgent
needs for temporary protected status the TPS for
ecuadorians in the United States providing a safe have
heaven for those fleeing violence exploitation and
environmental degradation in the Homeland meaning in
Ecuador.
Next please.
Uh, speaking of environment environment Ecuador has faced
significant natural disaster in recent years, including the
7.892 earthquake in April 2016 and heavy rains and floods
in 2023. These events have caused. We spread the
destruction displacement and economic hardship the 2016
earthquake alone caused damages estimated at 3 billion
dollars equivalent to 3% of Ecuadorian GDP at the time.
the compounded effects of these disasters has hindered
economic recovery and exact surveyed poverty and
unemployment making it unsafe and unfeasible for
ecuadorians to return home.
Lastly I want to say that the economic cultural
contributions of our people bring to this community in
Chicago. The economic impact of indigenous ecuadorians is
very significant.
And 20223 reported by the center for American progress
found that on the documented immigrants including
indigenous group contribute, approximately 12 billion in a
state of local taxes annually 12 billion.
agriculture sector in 2023 indigenous workers in California
are the agricultural sector played a crucial role in
maintaining food supply changed during the co 19 pandemic
highlighting their importance to the United States. We my
people we know that our culture we know how to protect the
pachamama and we know how to produce provide food for all
of us.
Cultural enrichment events like the 2023 Festival in New
York and now in Chicago.
Organized by ecuadorians and Indigenous communities
celebrate traditional music dance and rituals and reaching
the cultural landscape of American city with also enriched
the neighborhood's economically. I can give you some of
that data to even need it to understand more about how our
people are bringing economical forces in a good way to the
Chicago and Illinois. Thank you so much again. Thank you.
Um
Alderman Raymond for this space. I'm gonna pass this to my
Colleague. Okay. I will let you know we're at about 5
minutes left for presentation. So we got more.
chairman, if I may recognize Elizabeth Espinosa, Michaela
totto and Allison Vasquez who are here they have uh
testimony, but they can also do it as written if you need
it for the sake of
If you want to do 1 testing with the other 2 or if you want
to however you want to use the time totally okay with me.
Hello.
Good afternoon, introduce yourself first and last name.
My name is Michelle at Toledo. I'm an immigrant who came to
this country 26 years ago.
Also, I'm in a small business owner who provide employment
to 5 families.
Pay taxes and contribute to the economy to this country. I
never received any free money any free dollar from this
country. I work very hard to work in my business.
3 years ago my dad passed away. I wasn't able to go back to
Ecuador to say goodbye to him, but I was interested as an
immigrant as I faced too many apps to calls to create a
business because every time I needed to apply for a license
or permit they were asking for a social security a legal
papers, but even with that many ecuadorians are able to not
only create business but employment for too many families.
Including the people they actually born here I have.
5 employees they born here and actually they work for me
and I provided an employment right now Ecuador is in a very
difficult situation and I'm on requesting to be considered
to provide us the TPS a protection that will help us to
stay in this country. If this benefit will be granted we
will be able to continue creating employment to help the
economy of Illinois, and we will pay taxes not only in the
state level but also in the federal level with the proper
legal documents we can be able to get a better jobs and
help our families here.
Embarking Ecuador since last year many ecuadorians had to
Square from the violence extortion and drug related
problems. My country situations is now as many ecuadorians.
I have kids born here and the idea to get back is
impossible. I consider Chicago my home and I want to stay
and keep contributing to this country. Thank you.
Thank you very much. And then will you be submitting the
other?
Okay, just submit the other um testimony written.
or you can't you can
good afternoon.
My name is Alison Vasquez. I'm a member of voluntario who
are small business owners here in Chicago that provide
different goods and services to the majority of the
Ecuadorian Latino community.
Today the Ecuadorian Community comes together in front of
the city council with full support of alderman Raymond
Lopez to be part of the resolution of a temporary
protective service worker also known as TPS.
For those of you who are not familiar and ask what it is is
an important immigration relief which stands for temporary
protective status that is that is granted to the United
States immigrants from different countries.
What are the benefits do you ask?
Well, if you answered the country on documented
undocumented, you will be protected from being removed from
the United States in case you are certain proceedings. And
also you'll be able to apply to obtain a valid legal work
authorization or permitted ultimately would call if you for
legal Social Security card.
Now in order for Ecuador to become an eligible country for
these benefits must be facing 1 of the following situations
such as an ongoing armed conflict an environmental disaster
such as an earthquake or a hurricane or an epidemic.
Or other extraordinary and temporary conditions.
What makes Ecuador pretty eligible country for TPS and what
are their reasons?
Sadly, we are facing an internal War conflict as 1 of the
members explained previously. This is why this past week we
have been working tirelessly alongside elderman Raymond
Lopez and our members so that this relief he comes the
reality for our Ecuadorian community in Chicago and all
around the United States.
Our community has come together and taken action today for
the support for yes to TPS for Ecuador.
On behalf of Ecuadorian Committee in Chicago. We thank the
city council for your time to listen to our petition and
thank you.
Thank you very much. Um, uh Alderman Lopez if you would
mind. Yeah, I'd pass it over to our resident Ecuadorian
colleague. Uh, Alderman Byron s Lopez
thank you, uh chairman and um, I will be brief, uh as um,
uh,
someone who grew up and also has still family in Ecuador
want to attest to the evidence that the panel has shown
today.
I also want to recognize that just as the Ecuadorian
Community. There are many people throughout Latin America
that are fleeing violence. They are fleeing Global boiling
Global change, uh, and often times are or foreign policies
that Empower corporations, uh to destroy entire
communities. I be remiss missing vital mention the uh
lawsuit that the Ecuadorian government had against Chevron,
um a corporation that was found guilty in international
court yet. Um, the attorney that represented, um, the
indigenous community in Ecuador serves 6 months in prison
because the audacity of a standing up to corporate greed
this is why it's so important that again that we adhere to
international law and internationally policies because
these are corporations that violate the law and create
unfortunately massive displacement and migration also would
like to add my voices, um to those who want to make sure
that there's equity and the same treatment to all migrants.
I for 1, uh, support the same treatment to Haitians and
Sudanese and all immigrants who are fighting and are
fighting for a better world at home. And here we Define the
new home. So I want to add my voice in support, but I also
want to make sure that this is a policy that it is
incorporated and TPS expanded to all those who are eligible
Ecuadorian communities being 1 of them. But again, I am
aware about the disparities that we have within even the
immigrants communities. That's why the fueling of wars and
military budget
budgets that fuel displacement in Sudan that feel
displacement in Palestine and media are countries need
urgent federal laws that are not only add solutions to the
issue of immigration and at the border but also changes in
foreign policy that mitigate the displacement of residents
as I mentioned the case of equal or because the catcher
Community just last month was recognized, um to celebrate
in write me here in Chicago.
And that's what we need to be doing more and more Building
Bridges and making sure that federal law protects all
people clean violence inequality and corporate greed. So
thank you again for people who made this possible and I add
my voice in support even as a non-member. Thank you
chairman. Thank you very much.
uh other women Dow
Yes, thank you, Mr. Chairman. And I appreciate my uh
colleagues remarks. Um
um, I
just come back from my own.
back finding trip on uh, black migration to the United
States, uh, which I hope to share information, which I hope
to share with my colleagues, but I do have a question in as
it relates to the equity point that um,
Ultimate CEO Lopez rays and I guess I'm directing this to
the general counsel.
Um, my understanding is that while you're looking for a TPS
status in the United States is it accurate that Ecuador is
shutting its doors as of July 1st to uh migrants from Asia.
the Middle East and Africa
straight answer not that
what you said is not right is inaccurate. Thank you.
Um, it's been reported in in by Major media across the
Country, um, not the New York Times and other articles. So
you're saying that that information is inaccurate.
Accurate information about our our immigrate of immigration
law is found in the in the official websites of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
You can find their information in English.
And of course in the Spanish, thank you.
Uh for the record just want to know uh, Mark that Alderman
Ramirez. Rosa is here in attendance, uh any other questions
from our colleagues?
pman, uh
Sorry, uh, yeah other person Cardona LS chairman Dao has
anything to say I do move past this.
You want to move?
I was gonna ask you to hold it until we could just check
out whether or not the policy in Ecuador has immigration
policy in Ecuador has changed because if they're asking for
TPS status here for protection.
That same kind of uh policy should be in place at in
Ecuador.
Hey, so I heard what you said Council General. Um, but I've
been reading lots of different stories about this. So I
just want to double check. So if if
if you
no know if you're inclined we were going to call for a
recess after this matter. If you want to take 10 minutes to
get confirmation. Yes, we can we can reset for 10 minutes
get some confirmation there to figure out next steps. I
will reset for 10 minutes.
Yeah, the political.
Okay.
We got 5 more minutes is a long time minutes guys.
I did say 10 minutes for recess.
We are back.
Okay. Thank you.
um
Thank you very much for the recess. We got a little early.
Um Alderman Lopez unless there's a motion.
Sorry, you're yeah.
He he formerly make it. Okay.
So there is a motion, uh by Alderman Cardona to move uh
with the resolution to pass Sr. 2024 0000736.
um
Alderman Cardona, so it moves all those in favor of passing
the resolution respond by saying I
all oppose by saying nay
and the opinion of the chair of the eyes have it. I report
this vote as a recommendation to pass at the next city
council on July 17th 2024.
Uh, the committee will now uh move to our final item on the
agenda.
Before our committee. It is our 2024 D 00 8935 which is a
call for hearing to explore and address implications of
climate change induced migration to Chicago.
Um
Yes, uh as we all know our and experiencing there is
climate change throughout the globe a lot of it caused.
By us, uh, well drilling for oil the carbon in put up in
the air. I think it's we're seeing uh from this last, uh,
migrant crisis the influx that we uh received this past
year 2 years. Uh, it's going to only be the beginning as we
see these changes in the climate. We will be seeing an
increase in migration as people look at cities like Chicago
which have which are close to bodies of water which are
going to fare better, uh, during climate change, um, as
we've experienced governments are not prepared to address.
Huge influxes of migration but this is a direction things
are going in whether a city is prepared or not. So it is in
our best interest as a city to discuss how to be prepared
because of migration will continue and so um with that in
mind we wanted to have this hearing to be able to look at a
more data driven approach and looking at what the migration
is look like what these changes are any um,
Sort of expectations that we should prepare for. So we will
have testimony on this matter in total. We will limit each
presentation to 1520 minutes each and indicate when there
are 5 minutes remaining I want to welcome our subject
matter experts here before us to discuss their research on
global and local climate induced migration patterns and how
they may have and may affect Chicago in the future.
joining us virtually who will give a joint presentation
first our
Dr. Anne junid, uh environmental social scientists in the
climate and communities program at the urban Institute and
Rachel Drew senior research director at Enterprise
Community Partners.
Followed by that we have in-person joint presentation from
Dulce Guzman deputy director of institutional development
at Agana America and Jorge Mas Robles associate director at
the UIC Latino Cultural Center.
So we will begin our presentations with our virtual
presenters if you could introduce yourselves and begin.
chairman Vasquez and members of the committee on immigrant
and Refugee Rights
Thank you for the opportunity to present insights from my
past and ongoing Research into the effects of climate
change induced migration on receiving communities. My name
is an janod and I'm an environmental social scientists and
Senior research associate in the climate and communities
program at the urban Institute a nonprofit nonpartisan
research organization based in Washington, DC.
The views I express today are my own and should not be
attributed to the urban Institute. The institute's
leadership and trustees or its funders.
I focused my comments today on insights from 5 unique
studies of community and institutional impacts and capacity
in 3 climbing communities.
The urban Institute LED these studies between 2019 and 2023
in partnership with colleagues at Enterprise Community
Partners, including Dr. Rachel Drew who will be speaking in
a few moments.
As well as colleagues from the Rand Corporation the
University of Central Florida the University of New Orleans
and Texas Southern University.
our research examined impact from climate migration across
5 institution domain
housing and housing market
financial institutions and Financial Health
employment and economic development
Healthcare systems and social cultural and recreational
institutions
We used mixed method data collected from 3 us Gulf Coast
receiving communities that received climate migrants
following catastrophic climate change induced hurricane
event.
Houston Texas is the receiving destination for climate
migrants from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
The orange and Ocala counties region near Orlando, Florida
as the receiving destination for climate migrant from
Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria in 2016.
An inland hero bone and Li Paris is in Louisiana as
receiving region for climate migrants displaced by
landlords flooding worsening storms and hurricanes in the
southern coastal region of the state.
I refer the committee to our reports for further reading.
But today we'll summarize 5 key findings from our research
that are apt for other communities poised to receive
climate migrants now and in the future.
1 existing strong relationships between institutions better
equipped communities to respond.
2 climate migrants arrive both following acute crisis as
well as gradually as the result of chronic environmental
and climate related hazards.
3 climate migrants have evolving needs over time from
emergency and transition periods to long-term resettlement.
4 affordable and reliable public transit is critical to
shaping access to housing employment health care and
overall quality of life and 5 climate migration should not
be considered as an isolated secondary effect of climate
change, but rather a feature of interrelated and ongoing
disasters.
I'll Briefly summarize these findings and my colleague Dr.
Drew will discuss deeper observations and policy
recommendations from her study of the impacts of climate
change induced migration on housing markets.
Following Dr. Drew's remarks, I will close with final
consideration for the committee as you plan for future
climate change impacts in Chicago.
The first key finding from our research is that
institutional relationships and collaboration developed
before climate migrants arrival are critical to building
Community response capacity institutional sectors with
strong existing connections across government, the private
sector and Civil Society groups and organizations that
exhibited relevant cultural competencies and expertise were
most successful in addressing the needs of climate migrant
populations.
Yeah, even with efforts to centralize or Streamlight
streamline Service delivery and support during rapid
response periods following disaster events.
Coordination remained a challenge for some sectors such as
health care which resulted in fragmented Service delivery
and worth outcomes for some population.
Second climate migrants can navigate month to years of
uncertainty as institutions struggle to meet their evolving
needs from emergency and transition periods to long-term
resettlement despite early coordination efforts across
multiple institutional networks, including government
agencies, nonprofit organizations. And Community groups
many response networks were challenged by the scale and
scope of need exhibited by new residents and struggles to
meet their needs over time.
Third receiving communities can experience both fast and
slow migration.
The Houston and Orlando regions experienced acute periods
of climate migration following catastrophic hurricanes.
in contrast Louisiana has seen decades long steady
movements of climate migrants from Far Southern coastal
regions to Inland receiving communities as lands received
into the Gulf and flooding and storms intensify.
Yeah, these communities also experience punctuated periods
of larger scale migration following especially severe
hurricanes and Coastal storms requiring them to respond to
both vast migration that follows acute events as well as
ongoing slower migration that occurs gradually.
Smaller numbers of new arrivals can make sustaining
institutional support a challenge and many programs and
organizations that ramp up services during rapid response
and Recovery periods. Stop operating after the emergency
phases end without ongoing institutional supports in slower
migration contexts climate migrants with the fewest
resources are affected the most exacerbating existing
Health economic and social inequities.
Fourth access to Affordable reliable transportation not
only influences climate migrants resettlement patterns, but
also plays a key role in shaping aspects of their economic
opportunities their housing employment Healthcare and
overall quality of life.
many newcomers lost personal vehicles in precipitating
disasters or after their displacement making Transportation
barriers, especially acute most were dependent on public
transportation networks and related assistance to access
resources and services in receiving communities. But
especially in Houston available Emergency Shelters and
temporary rental housing were often not located near
accessible transportation.
over time even after emergency response period ended and
many climate migrants thought longer term settlement in
their new communities lack of affordable reliable
transportation continued to constrain their choices about
where to live and work.
And fifth climate migration is happening in the context of
multiple compounding ongoing and interrelated environmental
crisis, even as receiving communities became recovery
destinations for people affected by climate change induced
disasters and other regions.
3 subsequent hurricanes and 1 catastrophic winter storm
directly affect affected all 3 of the receiving communities
as well as 1 of the original sending communities over the
course of our research.
As the effects of climate change worsen know communities
sending or receiving will be immune from climate threats
for many receiving communities climate migration should not
be considered an isolated secondary effect of climate
change, but rather a feature of interrelated and ongoing
disasters, this is especially important given that
displacement and disruption in both sending and receiving
communities are likely to continue.
Dr. Drew will now discuss findings from the housing market
study, which she led with colleagues from Enterprise
Community Partners.
Thank you, Dr. Juno. And um good afternoon everybody. Thank
you for having us today. Uh, my name is Dr. Rachel Drew.
Uh, I am the senior research director in the public policy
group at Enterprise Community Partners. Enterprise is also
a nonpartisan nonprofit organization and my remarks today
reflect, uh, My Views only and not that of my organization
its officers or its board.
As Dr. Junid mentioned, uh 1 of the 5 domains that we
studied in this project was the housing markets and how
those markets in receiving communities, uh were impacted by
the climate migration events that occurred we choose to
focus specifically today on this 1 domain with the
recognition that housing is the foundation, uh for
responding to migration events, uh, arguably more important
than some of the other domains that we studied as access to
shelter is a basic human need and necessary for migrants to
be able to address other needs such as education, uh
employment and Healthcare
our study specifically on housing market impacts and
receiving communities identified 4 findings, um that I will
discuss today, uh that I acknowledge our specific to our
study and the receiving communities that we uh looked at
but do have um, applicable, uh, uh relevance for cities
such as Chicago and for other types,
arrived generally with fewer resources.
navigate those challenges. Uh, so acknowledging the
existing challenges in a housing market prior to a
migration event is key to being able to address migrant
needs for housing when they arrive
second our study found that many climate migrants arrived
in their receiving communities with little knowledge about
the operation of local housing markets, uh and required
considerable assistance simply to understand how those
systems work everything from the role of Brokers and agents
in finding housing to the need for security department
deposits for rentals and how rental leases work in many
cases migrants were not familiar with these activities as
they simply did not exist or they existed in in different
contexts from their origin communities.
So understanding that migrants arriving will likely need
assistance simply just to understand how local housing
markets work.
Third finding was that migrants initially clustered in
locations in receiving communities that either had
available housing or where they had connections to uh,
their origin communities through an existing, uh, Community
diaspora if that existed
this created some short-term localized Market pressures in
the specific Community where we observed some short-term
increase in rents and decreases in vacancies, but these
were very localized and short termed as the market, uh,
generally absorbed, uh, the migrant population fairly
quickly.
Which leads to our fourth finding which was that long-term
impacts on housing markets from climate migration events.
Uh, we're generally very difficult to observe because of
uh, a number of factors 1 the size of the migrant
population relative to the uh, existing Market tended to be
quite small. So impact from that small population arriving
in the receiving community did not register large enough to
impact the the uh entirety of the housing market.
Uh migrants also after their initial arrival in um, specific
communities had different trajectories for uh diffusion
within the market how soon they moved on to more permanent
housing. Uh, and what that form of housing was so being
able to observe, uh, impacts over a diffused geography and
a long time frame, uh with very challenging. So it uh did
So it uh did not allow us to identify that there were any
long-term impacts, um from uh from the micropop on these
housing markets.
Uh these findings, uh coupled with those of the other 4
domains like Dr. Junard had just described. Um do offer
some insight into how receiving communities can prepare for
and respond to climate migrations in the future. Um, if
there are slides available, please move to the to the next
1
so as another part of this project, uh, in addition to the
5, uh, domain studies, we also collected a set of policy
recommendations for future, um, receiving communities that
draw on the these findings. Um,
I present all 8 of these recommendations here in this uh
chart if you can see it, um, but I will focus, uh
specifically on 4 of them that I think uh may have
particular relevance for Chicago.
Um, as you can see, we grouped these findings by uh, the
level of government that we felt best positioned to
implement these recommendations.
So the first recommendation, um, I'm highlighting today is
1 that we highlighted specifically for the federal
government, uh in uh hopes that they would take action to
encourage and provide support to receiving communities, uh
to build their institutional capacity before a migration
event though, certainly. Um,
Receiving communities, uh have the agency to be able to
undertake some of this action themselves, uh without
Federal support.
The idea here though was to um, encourage potential
receiving communities to evaluate their existing resources
and capacity to respond to a migration event conducting
activities such as mapping out different types of migration
scenarios and developing off-the-shelf strategies, that
could be quickly activated in the event of a uh, climate
migration of uh event.
our second recommendation that I'm highlighting today, um
relates to the idea of pre-planning, uh, but it refers
specifically to um, encouraging receiving communities to
identify, uh, 1-stop shops centralized locations for
migrants to be able to access information and services when
they first arrived in our study we observed this, um with
specifically with the uh, example of the Puerto Rican
migrants who arrived in Central, Florida
Most of whom almost all of whom arrived by plane so a
centralized location with set up at the Orlando Airport to
welcome them and provide them with immediate information to
support their uh transition into the local community.
Doing so is not only an efficient, uh way to provide this
information and services to um, a migrant population. But
it also encourages collaboration across government, uh,
organizations and simplification of the application process
for migrants to be able to access a range of services.
Our third recommendation for today, um similar to the
cross-government collaboration that we recommend with
centralized services.
Also refers to uh, creating, um networks and coordination
with um other stakeholders in advance of a migration event.
This may include nonprofit commercial and philanthropic
organizations that are also likely to have engagements with
the migrant population.
We encourage receiving communities to uh, identify these
organizations and develop Partnerships and protocols in
advance for how they can work collaboratively with the
local government to support their efforts in uh meeting
migrant needs.
And our last recommendation, um touches on the point that
Dr. Junan made about the uh duration of uh services that
migrations need uh migrants need and that this is a a
long-term activity, um supporting migrants, uh takes time
and it will also be an evolving process that will require
changes in the types of services. They need from supporting
their immediate needs to longer term adaptation as members
of the receiving community.
And I will turn it now back over to Dr. June not to close
us out.
Thanks, Dr. Drew. Um so I closed uh my remarks today with 3
considerations for the committee. The first is the urgent
need for coordination between climate change planners and
climate change social scientists.
with immigration and Refugee experts and Advocates those
factors that are driving climate migration tend to be the
same types of economic and social considerations
influencing the movement of other immigrants refugees and
migrant groups. Our research shows that people who move
because of climate related disasters share similarities
with people who move for these for these reasons,
People's decisions about where to go are strongly influenced
influenced by where they have social, uh and cultural
connections and where and where they believe they can
assess economic resources and opportunities.
And as with other forms of migration immigration climate
migrants can faced xenophobia and various forms of
possibility, especially if they do not share social
cultural or racial characteristics with the receiving
Community groups, but climate planners traditionally do not
have expertise or training in mitigating these kinds of
negative social impacts.
Municipal immigration and climate planning tends to be
siloed. But in the coming years these offices missions and
activities will increasingly intersect so City climate and
planning, um researchers and research offices preparing for
climate migration and potential future climate migration
can consider opportunities to learn from and coordinate
with immigration.
Experts and Advocates who are already experienced in
planning for welcoming communities and institutions.
consideration is the need to develop planning Frameworks
and institutional support for both fast and slow climate
migration our research identified different Community
impacts from Fast migration, which follows acute disaster
events, like hurricanes and slow migration which occurs
more gradually
Um fast and flow migrants may experience loss at different
Paces at different scales and they often have different
recovery needs and access to available support.
Because low migrants arrived in smaller numbers, it can be
challenging for receiving areas to sustain the
institutional supports that they need um, and and most
federal Disaster Recovery dollars are targeted to people
and communities experiencing losses from acute climate
crisis. So low climate migrant to not qualify for most of
the federal assistance that's available to fast migrants
displaced after large presidentially declared disasters,
which can compound challenges to their recovery and
stability.
So potential receiving regions need to invest in flexible
support systems and services. Um and response models to
meet climate migrants diverse needs. They should also
prioritize developing migration plan planning and policy
Frameworks that help plan for and meet, uh, people's needs
after both acute and ongoing uh climate disasters.
Finally whether Northern cities like Chicago will become
climate Haven, uh is still unknown, but they can formalize
learning from Southern cities to inform preparation and
planning so far, um evidence for large-scale climate
migration to so-called climate Havens in the north where
climate impacts are expected to be less severe remains
limited. Um instead top destinations today.
Include the fund belt and Gulf Coast State like, Arizona,
Texas and Florida.
Although climate migrants have yet to move to lower risk
destinations in large numbers. They probably will as
climate impact worsen. And this means that more distant
receiving communities. Like Chicago will need to learn from
and apply the lessons being learned now across Southern and
some belt receiving regions and would do well to
institutionalized practices and policies that are tested
and working.
Rather than Reinventing the wheel the council and the
committee can establish and grow relationships with
colleagues and counterparts in southern cities and invest
in ongoing peer learning Pathways and Partnerships to
capitalize on the expertise being developed today.
So people have always moved but climate change threatens to
reproduce and exacerbate existing social and economic
inequalities that disproportionately harm people with low
income people with disabilities and many communities of
color. I hope that the council and committee consider these
opportunities to create welcoming and responsive climate
migration coordination planning and policy and support more
resilient and Equitable futures for both climate migrants
and potential receiving communities in Chicago. Thank you.
thank you both very much, uh for the presentation if you
could submit, um the remark even though they'll be on the
record, but if you could submit any written remarks to us,
that'd be appreciated so we can share with members of the
committee. Uh, thank you both.
Um, I'll go next to the in-person present joint
presentation from D Guzman, uh deputy director of
institutional development at Alianza medicas and Jorge
Robles associate director at the UIC Latino Cultural
Center, uh, when you are prepared, please feel free to
introduce yourself first and last name and you can get
started.
Thank you chairman and the committee members for the
opportunity to speak on this issue. My name is dul Guzman.
I am the deputy director of institutional development at
alansa medicas. Alana America is a Chicago based national
network of 58 Latin American Immigrant Led organizations
working to create more Equitable sustainable and inclusive
way of life for immigrants in the US and in our country of
origin.
Today, we will begin talking about climate change as an
amplifier so we can move to the first slide.
There is no widely accepted definition for climate
migration and very few governments currently have climate
related protection policies and corresponding migration
Pathways. The decision to migrate does not happen instantly
due to 1 specific factor or in the case of this subject 1
single climate induced disaster Mobility results from
compounding challenges including but not limited to family.
reunification poverty violence crop loss and unemployment
climate change amplifies these factors
Migration patterns in recent years have changed Mexicans
for example have historically been the largest group of
migrants to the US influenced by historical extraction of
resources and labor by the US proximity and extreme poverty
migration from Central America also increased in the 80s in
response to the Civil War. However today migration from
Venezuela, Nicaragua China and African countries is growing
in response to several factors, including political
instability oppression extreme poverty and violence.
People migrate for different reasons as we have listed on
this slide. There are several push factors that are often
exacerbated by the impact of climate change in some cases
climate change has a direct impact on population movement.
For example people who are displaced after a massive flood
or hurricane as Chicago witnessed and experienced during
Hurricane, Maria and Puerto Rico.
In other situations, it might be indirect in which drought
and excessive heat impact a person's ability to farm and
over time this impacts their ability to provide for their
family the majority of climate migrants move internally
temporarily and often will return to their places of
origin. But as climate change becomes more and more intense
people are forced to move.
People are forced to move permanently in search of stability
security and opportunity.
and this will impact majority black indigenous lgbtq people
with disabilities and and impoverished communities the most
that is why it's important to consider the several factors
that go into a person's decision to migrate.
Next slide please.
The world links the the world bank's grounds 2022 report
projects that 216 million people across 6 World regions
will be internally displaced and states that are hotspots
for this movement will clearly emerge as early as 2030 and
continued spreading and intensifying through 2050.
The graph shows the average number of internal climate
migrants predicted under the scenarios and 6 regions while
this report focuses on internal displacement. It is
relevant and critical to understanding and predicting more
permanent Movement. We can predict in the future.
Given its socioeconomic political components migration is
incredibly hard to simulate the gravity model used in the
grounds will report graphic does not directly simulate
migration, but offers insight into climate's potential
impacts on populations given their environmental
vulnerability.
We can better understand how populations might shift over
time by examining these differences.
Notably subsearch is the region predicted to be most
affected in recent years. We have seen a significant jump
in the number of Africans apprehended at the southern
border going from 13406 in fiscal year 2022 to 58462 in
fiscal year 2023 though. This is a very small percentage of
the overall population of migrants arriving at the border.
It is an example of what we might see more of as climate
change progresses.
Moreover the impact of climate change on Latin America is
of great importance to the US because of our proximity and
historical migration patterns from the region.
The grounds will report projects approximately 17 million
people will be displaced due to climate change many of
those already impacted by climate related disasters are
finding ways to adapt some countries in Latin America like
Colombia, Argentina, Chile Costa Rica and to some extent
Mexico have already established established emergency
response programs to support people after a climate
disaster. However, that is not true for several countries,
like what the Mala Honduras Nicaragua and Venezuela in
general the effectiveness and robustness of post Disaster
Response programs can vary significantly based on resources
infrastructure and political stability.
Migrating is not the immediate answer for people and for
some labor migration is a better way to describe this
movement as people migrated temporarily to supplement their
losses due to climate change.
people want to stay in their home countries, but as I
mentioned before there are several reasons people decide to
ultimately leave and and as conditions and countries of
origin become more unstable and unsafe people will continue
to search for safety next slide, please.
a timely example of climate disasters is Hurricane Barrel,
which just hit the Caribbean and will impact the southern
parts of Jamaica Haiti and the Dominican Republic and then
Mexico this will impact Haiti which is already experiencing
political instability that does not have an emergency
response plan in place. That is why programs like TPS for
Haiti, which was recently announced are so important to
ensure people who are already here have the opportunity to
feel safe from deportation and work in the communities.
They are based in
Additionally hurricane Barrel hitting places like Mexico
means various displacements will occur. Some of it could be
temporary and others depending on individuals economic and
social situation may be permanent. For example, people
visiting the US from Mexico may not have had plans to stay
but depending on the immediate and long-term impact of a
hurricane. They may stay here longer additionally extreme
drought and excessive heat are destroying the agricultural
economy and Central America and Mexico which may cause
internal displacement and later on permanent migration to
other countries.
Chicago is very familiar with the immediate and long-term
impacts of these types of hurricanes as it helped welcome
and integrate thousands of Puerto Ricans after Hurricane
Maria this included setting up relief centers integrating
children into the education system and more the island
faces rising sea levels stronger and more frequent
hurricanes and increased flooding to this day Puerto Rico
struggles with power outages and several places throughout
the island.
More and more people are leaving Puerto Rico for the
mainland.
We have already witnessed internal displacement within the
us some of this displacement has been temporary and for
some people it has been permanent. For example individuals
who were impacted by Hurricane Katrina as climate change
intensifies. There will be push and pull factors that drive
people out of the Midwest these migration patterns will
influence Local transportation systems Utility Systems food
systems public education housing labor and more.
Next slide please.
Climate migration is often a blanket term encompassing
different forms of migration directly and indirectly linked
to climate change and environmental degradation different
forms of migration, like temporary labor migration are
often very closely tied to climate migration.
there is also no legal definition for people who have been
displaced from their homes due to climate change or
disasters climate migrants cannot claim the same
internationally recognized protections as refugees or
asilus the current US Asylum eligibility requirements. Do
not include individuals impacted by climate change and
there is no integration system to support Asylum Seekers
like Refugee resettlement program.
In addition to the lack of regular migration Pathways and
response to climate change. It can be very difficult to
document and quantify the number of people migrating to the
US because people are not always aware of the role of
climate change in their migration story.
For example asking someone who migrated to the US why they
decided to move and they may say the lack of Economic
Opportunity when asked deeper questions, they might say
they had experienced several years of crop loss and had
little to no support from their local government digging in
fur further asking what contributed to the crop loss. They
may say the extreme drought and heat and that is where we
identify the connection of extreme climate conditions as an
influence on people fleeing feeling forced to migrate data
is important to understand change changing my migration
patterns linked climate change. However, the most important
question is not if people will be impacted but when and how
well the receiving countries are prepared to respond
Migrating is not the immediate answer for people and for
some labor migration and for some labor migration is a
better way to describe this movement as people migrated
temporarily to supplement their loss. Oh, sorry went to the
wrong 1 lastly, uh, 1 challenge to managing climate
migration is understanding. The new arrivals are coming
from countries that have historically not migrated to the
US before meaning that they don't count on the same social
social network to support their integration.
Without a pathway to work authorization. So social services
and receiving communities will say will face a deeper
challenge even for people coming from countries like Mexico
and Central America who may have these networks. There will
be greater hardship for households already in Chicago.
Next slide please.
In recent years much of the media coverage has focused on
the so-called migrant crisis. However, this is not a crisis
of migration but a crisis of care when discussing the root
causes of migration. We are actually addressing society's
failures to ensure that well-being of their citizens and
the world's wealthiest country. We should not pit groups
against each other for resources. That should have been
secured long ago.
I will not go in depth on the impact of the influx of new
arrivals over the last Almost 2 years because we have been
hearing a lot about that in the news. I take this moment
instead to highlight the opportunities presented. If a city
like Chicago is better prepared to receive at a time when
the US is experiencing population Decline and a worker
shortage. We should recognize that people arriving already
and willing to work.
There are endless cultural Traditions values and other
contributions new arrivals bring and are essential to the
cities like Chicago.
The challenges Chicago has faced with new arrivals stem
from the fact that our social safety net has never been
adequate to support the community and their federal
government has failed to change the way we View migrants.
While this portion of the presentation has focused on
global climate migration patterns. We must also recognize
that there will be internal displacement in the US and it
has already begun.
A report published in the pure reviewed nature
Communications Journal reported that states in the midwest
including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan. And Ohio will be
among the most impacted by climate migration in particular
due to extreme flooding.
This refers to more people leaving the Midwest and
anticipated migration due to other push factors. There are
also other existing climate and environmental inequalities.
At Chicagoans are already facing.
And for this portion, I will pass this over to my
co-presenter Jorge Mena Robles.
Thank you D. Say my name is Jorge Robles. I serve as the
associate director at uic's Latino Cultural Center. Um, uh,
I was asked to speak for a couple of minutes on the local
conditions on an environmental Injustice that's impacting
people already in Chicago.
In US cities and regions it is widely recognized that
environmental risk disproportionately affect people of
color and low-income earners. Chicago is no exception. This
is partly because planning policy poorly addresses
marginalized communities housing and social needs forcing
families to live in precarious and polluted communities
with inadequate access to resilient infrastructure services
and opportunities.
a 2020 City of Chicago air quality and Health Report
highlights that structural racism 1 and economic hardship
to our significant factors influencing how black and Latina
families end up living in heavily polluted neighborhoods.
These areas refer to as sacrifice.
These areas refer to as sacrifice zones denote the
assertion that a key indicator of an individual's health is
1 zip code.
Here in the map. You can see the 65 zones 6 neighborhoods
that have been recognized by the city of Chicago and a
recent cumulative impact assessment report. Um, and this
includes Little Village pilson McKinley Park House Guild
Gardens the southeast side and the regional along the calat
river.
These percentage of neighborhoods consists of low-income
working-class black and Latina communities on the Southwest
and far south sides of Chicago.
And it is them that are the most heavily affected by
environmental pollution.
These residents are located near industrial corridors areas
identified by the city as optimal for manufacturing
Trucking waterways and railroads.
The concept of sacrifice zones is no surprise to those
living in these areas where for decades community members
have been organizing to improve environmental conditions
that have been a result of Decades of neglect and
environmental racism.
While in recent years the city has been more proactive in
attempting to rectify the harms of environmental racism
including publishing the 2023 Chicago cumulative impact
assessment report community members have been organizing
for decades to look at this on the ground. Um, 1 example in
the early 1980s out Guild Gardens resident and founder of
of people for Community recovery Hazel Johnson coined the
term toxic donut to describe how alt Guild Gardens was not
only knowingly built on top of a former Industrial Waste
Site, but was located directly in the center of a 14 square
mile ring of pollution.
This intentional placement of Health Guild Gardens left the
community vulnerable to numerous health hazards, including
High rates of cancer. Asthma skin issues and more.
next slide
at UIC we back to the participated in uh, memory project
launched in 2017 titled climates of inequality this work
brings together Educators and leaders from over 20 cities
cities across the US and Latin America to activate the
histories of Frontline communities those who have
contributed the least to The Climate crisis, but bear its
heaviest burdens.
1 local story is the resisting cycles of environmental
Injustice in Libya.
Libya culture and knowledge, um is a population that is
experiencing some of the worst local environmental
injustices and climate gentrification in the city of
Chicago.
This neighborhood also provides a keen example of 1 of the
areas where immigrants land and began settling roots in um
1 of the ways to describe. This is that um La Veta
residents face this this environmental racism that's
worsened by Corporation to prioritize profit over people's
well-being.
If you look at the image on this slide, you see the
Crawford Generating Station how this is how it manifests on
the ground the Crawford Generating Station attracted
immigrant workers in the early 1900s The Immigrant
Community however continued to get sick from the Industrial
Waste traffic and byproducts of the coal plant.
After years of activism Crawford was shut down in 2012.
However, the land was then purchased against the
community's wishes by another Industrial Corporation and
polluter Hilo.
later in 2020 as the pandemic reached on the spokes tax
botched implosions smothered little village and harmful
dust which concerned Community residents spoke about before
and after the implosion occurred.
Um, there are other examples that I won't get too into
detail 1 is um the Cook County Jail and the park where a
former Brown site was transformed into a park in 2014 and
this park is located right next to the Cook County Jail.
Um, the prison complex is over 4 times the size of the
park, which is the largest Green Space of the neighborhood
and it was built on top of a contamination, um cap by
celotex.
Um, another example is Zapata Academy and uni lever best
foods to unlikely of Levi western border.
This has all manifested in direct impacts to the community
exacerbating Community displacement and increasing
pollutants.
in recent years massive warehouses brought it across
Chicago Metro according to a Chicago Tribune report as
online orders increase since the co pandemic
This aligns with a new study where medium to large trucks
driving through 17 Chicago. Neighborhoods were counted
showing this proportionate number of trucks passing through
black and Latin neighbor Latina neighborhoods in Chicago.
He's increasing pollutants and the unsettling feelings of
future displacement that residents are experiencing are
serious environmental stresses that are elevating
inequities in black and Latina communities.
next slide
this is another uh study. Sorry, hold on for a second Miss
Jackson. I've given you a final warning if you want to
continue out.
out, uh
I'll have to ask you to leave.
Mr. Blakemore
I also want you as well or I'll ask you to leave.
Oh Mr. Blakemore, I'm asking you to leave.
If you can please discard them out.
You're welcome.
Yes, I do Mr. Blakemore. I'd like for you to leave.
see
you I'll take 1 less than a chamber. Thank you, sir. Uh,
please feel free to continue.
Thank you.
Um, the images that you see here are from a report titled
the Chicago Latina voices on environmental and climate
change racism. I won't have time to develop on this today.
But when a couple of the key takeaways that I wanted to
highlight was that storytellers who live in environmentally
burden areas in Chicago Express frustration with the lack
of respect they receive from these polluters and um at
times playing city of officials for being on the side of
polluters and disregarding the community input and voices.
The issue of Health surface does a significant concern and
mostly linked to environmental pollution as they described
with Precision the pollutants they witnessed in their
communities and how these were impacting the health of
their families.
um next slide
um in response to all of this Chicago's local environmental
justice movement heavily relies on Cross collaboration and
Coalition building out of this need a number of alliances
have a emerged including the Chicago environmental justice
Network and climate Justice Alliance to name a few. Um, and
2 examples of what this looks like on the ground in La
Veta. We have ELO which is the little village environmental
justice organization, a Grassroots or that advocates for
environmental justice within and Beyond the borders of
Libya 1 of the things that they lead our the toxic tours as
they believe that the community is an important classroom
to learn AI environmental justice and local solutions to
climate change in the Southside.
An organization called blacks and Green Works to increase
household income and resilience against the harms of the
climate crisis and their pilot Village of Westwood launch
Chicago and Beyond and um, black and green is also a
contributing partner in developing Chicago's climate action
plan.
Um this work by elbe and black and green promotes future
versions for confronting the climate crisis that uh
understand and undo past environmental harms. Um, I'll wrap
up by reiterating that everyone including migrants deserve
access to clean air clean earth, clean water, um and our
Solutions and response must also acknowledge the cultural
assets that migrants bring with them and the opportunities
that that brings to create diverse and just solutions to
climate migration. I'll send that back to dulen for our
final slide.
Thank you. Thank you. Um, I won't read each recommendation
just because of time. Um, but I did want to say that
Chicago has set the bar for City Le resilience to 2
pressing issues of the day climate change and immigration.
Now Chicago should Champion early needed action at the
intersection of these 2 issues proactively planning for
migration for climate Migration by being proactive
Chicago's leadership can continue to fill a federal and
Global void and responding to climate migration. The
recommendations listed are way Chicago can begin
strengthening and redesigning current systems and policies
by considering the impact of climate migration and future
planning processes and working with peer governments to
advocate for more proactive and robust Federal policies.
Um, I recently heard, uh, I guess an analogy, um related to
how we we often receive neighbors or guests when our house
is not cleaned up. Um, and I think that we can both clean
up our home improve it and also welcome new neighbors.
Thank you.
Thank you very much. Uh, thank you all for your
presentations. Uh, we'll now move on to question from
ahlers. If you are called to respond to a question from the
box, please always state your name first and last uh name
as well for the record. I want to note that we have deputy
director Glenn Lyman with us from the office of emergency
management and Communications to answer questions since the
department of environment maintains that OMC is the arm
that currently manages the planning and response of such
issues, um to get us started. I I'll start asking
questions.
Is 1 I wanted to appreciate the presenters not only for
presenting what the challenge looks like as it relates to
migrant crisis, but also highlighting things that the city
needs to be aggressive on already. Even for the existing
population when we're talking about the lack of affordable
housing not enough shelter. These are things we know that
whether you're a migrant that just got here or been here
for decades and we're born here the services and resources
are not adequate and so we need more aggressive policy as
it relates to increasing affordability as it creates, uh
leads to creating a shelter system for all who need it not
just 1 group or not, 2, uh different, um Shelter Systems
that tend to compete for resources. Um, so I want to thank
you for that as well as highlighting.
To your point cleaning our own house looking at different
parts of town where we need to address. Uh, what is climate
Injustice currently, uh,
Lord knows this past year 2 years. We had a situation where
a tent was almost going to be placed on toxic land as we
try to find resources when we currently didn't deal with
our own. Um, so we see the the consequences of not doing it
properly. Um, given the fact that we've had 2 years of a of
a
Of a challenge with this higher influx. I'll direct my
question to deputy director Lyman. Um, what has the city
done any risk assessment or planning around the issue based
on what is experienced so far like other conversations
about what we've learned and what we need to have ready
going forward as we see increased migration coming.
Sure, I think that's a good question. I'd like to follow up
with you on it because I was advised just to be here as a
listening to how this Environmental Studies would affect
our current. Uh, migrant Mission got it. So follow up with
you on that. I I appreciate so to your understanding as to
what you've seen so far has there been any level of
conversation about looking forward? I say it because I
understand everything has been like a crisis right in front
of the different departments have there been conversations
that are more proactive or forecasting about anything
related to what we're seeing now because of the migrant
issue.
Oh, yes. I definitely think there's been more proactive
look at uh, if we need to open additional shelters, you
know looking at it differently possibly, uh than they did
in the past due to the time constraints they were up to in
the past and now there's a a little buffer of that time.
Definitely. Thank you. Yeah, I I would propose that as we
start looking forward. We need like either a working group
or a task force. I will follow up to see what the
Departments are doing. Um, because
Unless we see some worldwide change as our behaviors this
seems like it's only going to go in 1 Direction. So being
able to have those conversations and planning ahead is
important and so we'd like to make sure that the council is
thinking ahead as to what what to come. So we're not caught
flat-footed for lack of a better term. Um, as we had when
we started the first influx, so, uh, thank you for that.
Any questions from our committee alderwoman Dell.
Yes, thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just wanted to make a
recommendation that uh that this uh analysis be expanded to
look at uh climate impacts in places like the Congo.
Synagogue Niger where we're receiving. Um
Immigrants as well. So this focus seems to be on the
Caribbean Central and South America all good, but we do
have uh, uh immigrants and migrants coming from other
places.
With these recommendations could also apply. Thank you.
Yeah, if you actually go back to a couple slides, I think
it was showing was that the largest increase we're seeing
is from Sub sub Sahara Africa.
So I think it was yeah, if you look all the way to the left
on that graph.
So we're actually seeing the increases have been the largest
and you correct me if I'm wrong because you got to
presenting. So to your point. I think thinking about how we
have cultural sensitive, uh setups and systems, right? We
have currently challenges as far as language access period
but making sure we have something that's more sensitive to
the diaspora that's coming right? I I agree with all that
chairman. I just wanted to see more of the climate related
information research folded into this so it would be more
comprehensive. That's it. Yeah, thank you for that and if
through the chair if we can follow up and get more than
information. Absolutely. Thank you for the recommendation,
uh any other questions by the committee?
I'll not happen with I just wanted to thank you chair for
having this subject matter hearing and to thank everyone
who came to to report. I hope that um future conversations
can take all of this data in and also include other voices
from our agencies, including, you know, even uh streets and
sanitation, you know, how we um, moving forward with
composting and recycling.
And with our new commissioner of uh Department of
environment, um, and also Department of Housing, uh, it has
to be more of a comprehensive conversation. I think moving
forward. Thank you. Thank you get this. Yeah, we will we
will send the presentations. I agree with you fully. I
think the department of planning I think there's multiple
departments. We need to be discussing what this is going to
look like going forward and how we actually
Plan ahead. So I I agree with you. We'll be following up, um
to see what can we done. This is just a resolution, but I
think it's just the beginning of the conversation. So, um
as questions have now concluded can I have a motion Mr. Mr.
Chairman? I am here. My my hand is up, but I don't know
that you can see.
Um, thank you for holding this hearing. It's been um,
really great to listen to all the conversation also really
frightening. Um, especially right now as as we see, uh a
hurricane
um ravaging through the Caribbean, um
It is this is the first time we have uh a a hurricane that
is so aggressive. It started as a category 4. Um, I think
that now is already a category 5 and it's because of how
hot the waters are um in the ocean.
Um, this is extremely frightening and I I do agree that we
have to be preparing, um, Chicago
Uh to become a safe haven. I I have a question about models
because this is a very
Complicated situation particularly in a society, um that
has gotten uh, social systems and social structures of
care.
and um, we have been left with nothing for for the people
that needed the most um, or very little right and and when
we think about welcoming people who are coming from um from
other places we struggle.
And I want to know if anybody in in the panel, um can speak
about successful models that we have seen in other places,
uh that can give us ideas of of what the the right path is.
And of course, we know that we need more housing. There are
things that we know that we have to do. Um, but I'm curious
about successful models, um, in other places, um, that
might help serve as a as a map on how to build those
structures.
Sure, thank you. I guess I'll turn the panel.
Are there other like models that you've learned from or
something? You can submit through the chair?
I think when it comes to climate change as I mentioned 1 of
the the climates of inequality Coalition that we're a part
of does, um have information of cities across across the us
but also several Latin American countries and how they're
dealing with climate migration. I hesitate to say that
they're successful models, but I think there are models for
us to look at to Garner more um information which we're
having to share with the committee as well that that would
be that would be great and I appreciate um, that that
response that also puts even more responsibility on us in
terms of of developing successful models that can serve as
as a blueprint for other places, but I would be really
interested in interested to see what is being done in in
other cities. Um across the the world. Um, I don't know if
there's anybody else that wanted to speak to to my
question, but if not, um, yeah, yeah that was that was it
for me. We have a we have a Guzman followed by D.
nod
yes, uh, thank you for the question. Um as uh, the chairman
just mentioned, my name is dulk Guzman deputy director. Um,
I will uh, I can follow up with additional more extensive
information on different programs as uh, Jorge mentioned.
Um, there are uh countries in Latin America local
governments and and National governments that are working
on National adaptation policies, um that are focused on
improving Water Resource Management, protecting
biodiversity, um and enhancing or adapting agriculture. Um,
I think that 1 of the recommendations that uh, we didn't
have time to mention but I'll read it now is partnering
with peer governments in climate vulnerable Latin America
and the Caribbean Nations to boost their long-term
resilience. So this is referring to there is an opportunity
to have more exchanges with governments in those locations.
Um, I think it's also an opportunity to assess how much it
costs to be more of an responsive mode as opposed to think
about how we are. Um 1 yes addressing the current impact,
but also,
Investing in um addressing those root causes and really
preparing those uh countries of origin to better respond
because as I said people don't want to leave people want to
stay. Um, but I think that's going to recover going to
require a lot more collaboration not just federal
government to national government, but also thinking about
how very hyperlocal governments are working with other
local governments in different countries.
Thank you. Thank you, uh, Dr. Jeannotte.
Thank you. I would just add um to that, you know from the
climate planning side. We're seeing this movement towards
regionalism and Regional resilience planning, um, you know,
the effects of climate change directly on our communities,
um, you know, and the potential impacts as potential
receiving communities. They're not going to be isolated
just to Chicago it's going to be you know, Chicago land
it's going to you know, you're going to be um, coordinating
Services as Dr. Drew, um, discussed, um across institutions
and across different levels and layers of government. And
so there's a move on the climate side to focus on Regional
resilience planning at um, the urban Institute, we've done
lot of work on um on, you know, researching the
effectiveness of different cities, uh, in in um Regional
resilience planning. I would point you to our 100, um,
resilient cities initiative. We've done a lot of work with
that. Um, just
Looking at the effectiveness of of planning that
coordinated. Um, and really Nest county level City level
Etc. Um, you know, uh Services supports and infrastructure.
Um, I would also say thinking about now towards the long
term, um, how you will plan to institutionalize the
learning and the mistakes that you make and and the
evidence that you gather. Um, what how will you capture?
Um, and benefit from those insights as you go along. I'll
say um a piece of our research that was concerning to me as
a researcher. Um,
Was that when we were asking, you know different
stakeholders across the different communities how they
learned from these events, you know how they saw that. Um,
they changed the way they're doing business. They changed
their planning they changed, you know, their service
delivery and such there wasn't a lot of evidence for
institutionalizing the lessons from these very major
climate migration events. And so I think as part of your
planning, um as the council moving forward and thinking
about you know, the you know, whether it's working groups
or the next phases and such just keep making sure that you
keep a full Lane of the freeway of work for how you will
learn from what comes and institutionalize those learnings
and planning for that now,
Thank you. Thank you very much for that. Um last question
I've got for deputy director Lyman is Chicago part of any
Regional kind of groups talking to this stuff when you look
at like with Midwest cities or experiencing or other
cities.
uh, we are part of the big city emergency managers group,
uh, that meets uh twice a year and these uh topics are
discussed every now and then there but I can follow up more
with you on that.
Yeah, that'd be very helpful. Thank you for that. Um, okay
as uh questions have now concluded can I have a motion to
vote on the resolution?
Alderman not happy with so moves all those in favor of
passing a resolution respond by saying I
Thank you guys. All those opposed say nay.
In the opinion of the chair the eyes have it. I report this
vote as a recommendation to pass at the next city council
meeting on July 17th, 2024 with there being no first. I
want to thank all the presenters. Thank you all so much Dr.
Drew Dr. Janod director Gusman and associate director
Robles as well as deputy director alignment, um with there
being no further business before the committee. May we have
a motion to adjourn?
No, it's day. So other other women down so moved hearing no