Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights meeting, July 2, 2024
- When: Tue, Jul 2, 2024, 12:30 PM (Chicago time)
- Where: City Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights
- Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8928487/video/969198130
- Transcript: full text (19,702 words, official captions)
Meeting notes
AI-written from the transcript. Speakers are inferred from cues in the recording, so treat names as estimates and check the video at the linked time.
The Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights heard public comment and then considered three resolutions. The committee heard from a National Immigrant Justice Center attorney on Chicago Police Department U visa certifications and recommended passage of the resolution calling for hearings on the matter. After testimony from the Consul General of Ecuador and community members, and a short recess requested to check a question about Ecuador's own migration policy, the committee recommended passage of a resolution urging temporary protected status for Ecuadorians. Researchers from the Urban Institute, Enterprise Community Partners, Alianza Americas and the UIC Latino Cultural Center presented on climate change induced migration, and the committee recommended passage of that resolution as well; all three were reported for the July 17, 2024 City Council meeting.
Topics: U visa certifications, Chicago Police Department, Temporary protected status, Ecuador, Climate migration, Shelter policy, Public comment, Emergency planning
Agenda items discussed
- 16:37 Introduction of substitutes for the U visa and Ecuador TPS resolutions: passed
- 17:33 Public comment
- 45:23 Approval of the March Rule 45 report: passed
- 45:34 Resolution calling for hearings with CPD and the Law Department on U visa (U nonimmigrant status) certifications: passed
- 1:03:49 Resolution calling on the President and Secretary of Homeland Security to grant temporary protected status to Ecuadorians: passed
- 1:36:49 Call for hearing on implications of climate change induced migration to Chicago: passed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Andre Vasquez Jr. (chair): Asked whether CPD publicly reports how many U visa certifications it issues and whether the panelist tracks client outcomes. (50:11); Said the committee would submit questions to CPD on certification numbers and could pursue an ordinance requiring reporting if answers are not provided. (53:45); Asked that CPD also provide a breakdown of which crimes are included in certification applications. (57:50)
- Felix Cardona Jr. (alderperson): Asked the committee to accept substitutes for the U visa and Ecuador resolutions. (16:40)
- Raymond A. Lopez (alderperson): Introduced the U visa resolution, citing a 2022 Injustice Watch report on a lack of certifications and calling for continued hearings to ensure compliance with 2019 state law. (12:48); Said CPD was aware of the hearing but wanted closed briefings, while he wanted a public discussion. (1:02:48); Introduced the Ecuador TPS resolution, describing violence many Ecuadorians flee and listing countries that currently have TPS. (1:04:19)
- Ruth Cruz (alderperson): Asked how long it takes to receive a U visa certification and what happens when a request is denied. (54:01)
- Byron Sigcho-López (alderperson): Asked the committee to review the Injustice Watch report and work with the Inspector General on any systemic issues in U visa certification denials. (57:06); Spoke in support of TPS for Ecuador as someone with family there, and called for equal treatment of all migrants and changes in foreign policy that drive displacement. (1:24:55)
- Michael D. Rodriguez (alderperson): Described migrant women in his community who are victims of domestic violence and said hindering the U visa process would be problematic. (58:08)
- Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (alderperson): Asked what aldermanic offices can do to guide immigrant women who do not feel safe toward resources, citing language access needs in Edgewater. (59:47); Asked that future conversations on climate migration include Streets and Sanitation, the Department of Environment and the Department of Housing. (2:27:18)
- Daniel La Spata (alderperson): Asked whether CPD was asked to participate in the hearing and whether it gave a reason for not attending. (1:02:26)
- Pat Dowell (alderperson): Asked the Consul General whether Ecuador was closing its doors to migrants from Asia, the Middle East and Africa as of July 1. (1:28:09); Asked to hold the TPS resolution until the committee could check whether Ecuador's immigration policy had changed. (1:30:11); Recommended expanding the climate migration analysis to include places such as the Congo and Niger. (2:25:44)
Exchanges between members
- 17:24 The chair thanked Alderperson Felix Cardona Jr. after the substitutes were introduced.
- 1:02:26 Alderperson Daniel La Spata asked whether CPD had been asked to participate; the chair deferred to the sponsor.
- 1:02:48 Alderperson Raymond A. Lopez answered that CPD preferred closed briefings while he wanted a public discussion.
- 1:02:59 Alderperson Daniel La Spata said he was glad the sponsor asked for a public discussion and thanked him.
- 59:59 Alderperson Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth thanked Alderperson Michael D. Rodriguez for his comments.
- 57:47 The chair agreed to Alderperson Byron Sigcho-López request and added a request for a breakdown of crimes.
- 1:24:49 Alderperson Raymond A. Lopez passed the floor to Alderperson Byron Sigcho-López.
- 1:28:17 Alderperson Pat Dowell referenced the equity point raised by Alderperson Byron Sigcho-López before asking her question.
- 1:30:46 The chair offered a ten-minute recess in response to Alderperson Pat Dowell request to verify Ecuador's policy.
- 2:26:22 The chair responded to Alderperson Pat Dowell recommendation, noting the largest increase shown was from Sub-Saharan Africa and agreeing to follow up.
- 2:27:53 The chair agreed with Alderperson Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth that multiple departments should be part of the conversation.