Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is urging President Biden to grant work permits to nearly 500,000 illegal migrants living in the city, stating that the city can “conservatively” welcome another 400,000 to 700,000 illegal migrants. Johnson emphasized the need for economic opportunities for undocumented individuals living in the city to help them build better lives. He expressed the city’s commitment to never turning its back on those who wish to call Chicago their home.
On his one-year anniversary as mayor, Johnson penned a letter to the Biden administration advocating for additional work permits, with support from other city mayors such as Denver, New York, Seattle, and San Francisco. He emphasized the importance of creating a more inclusive and equitable future for all residents, regardless of how long they have been in the city. Despite the ongoing humanitarian crisis, officials in Chicago remain unwavering in their commitment to immigrant communities.
The slow rollout of work permits issued by the federal government has caused big cities to be overwhelmed by the illegal migrant crisis and overcrowded shelters. City leaders have been calling on the administration to grant more permits for new arrivals and extend existing ones. This year’s work permits are set to expire on April 24, and in February, more than 40 mayors sent a letter requesting automatic extensions of at least 540 days for existing work permits.
In response to these concerns, the Biden administration announced an extension from 180 to 540 days for certain categories of illegal migrants to prevent renewal applicants from experiencing a lapse in their employment authorization and documentation. The eligibility of Chicago’s illegal migrants for these extensions remains unclear. Last year, Johnson faced backlash from residents who were frustrated by the influx of illegal migrants in their neighborhoods, with over 20,000 migrants arriving in the city since August 2022, and thousands remaining in shelters.
Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing humanitarian crisis, Chicago remains committed to supporting immigrant communities and advocating for additional work permits for illegal migrants. Mayor Johnson’s efforts to push for more economic opportunities for undocumented individuals reflect the city’s dedication to creating an inclusive and equitable future for all residents. By working with other city mayors and urging the Biden administration to extend work permits and provide support for those in need, Chicago is demonstrating its commitment to standing by those who wish to make the city their home.
