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state has seen over 24,000 arrive over the last 15 months, which
has led to the city and state spending nearly $1 billion for
shelter, care and other services.
A significant number of arrivals are being housed in tents
inside and outside police stations and have been encouraged to
seek work while in Chicago.
However, migrant works fees have prompted Illinois elected
officials to speak out.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said on Monday that he is working to remove
the costs.
"Every time I see White House personnel or the President, I have
raised this issue and others related to the asylum seekers
coming to Chicago," Pritzker said. "This waiver of those fees is
very, very important."
According to reports, Chicago gained 25 more buses full of
non-citizen arrivals seeking shelter in the city over the last
two weeks, increasing the demand for shelter and services,
which, without work permits, leaves people sitting and doing
nothing.
"$500 is really untenable for many of these migrants who cannot
go to work without a work authorization, and they can't get a
work authorization without being able to purchase the permit,"
Pritzker said.
The city and the state have already used taxpayer dollars to
shelter the arrivals.
The amount already spent by the state and city has led to
Pritzker calling on donations to help support the migrants.
"We are working together with them; we also have philanthropists
and others who are trying to help pay some of those fees,"
Pritzker said. "What we really need is a national waiver for
these asylum seekers."
Chicago has set aside an additional $150 million to help shelter
and care for the influx of noncitizen arrivals. The state
recently announced it will be contributing another $160 million
in taxpayer funds for services.
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