Chicago is one of the ten largest sanctuary cities in the United States and has received approximately 51,000 migrants who were bussed from Texas since 2022. Most of these individuals are Venezuelans who endured the desperate journey through the Darien Gap.
The state provided temporary shelter, food, and medical care; however, one death and mistreatment of migrants occurred during this time.. In 2024, all migrant shelters began to close down due to Chicago’s “One System Initiative,” which aimed to combine migrant and homeless shelters into a single, equitable support network. Many migrants were still waiting for their work permits to arrive, leaving many scrambling to find stable housing, all with the looming possibility of Donald Trump returning to the White House. This fear has become a reality, but with a twist: the temporary protected status (TPS) for many Venezuelans was abruptly revoked, resulting in thousands receiving deportation notices via email.
A new wave of anti-migrant movement has begun, with ICE arresting anyone who may look like an “immigrant”, detention centers being built under inhumane conditions, and President Trump threatening to end ‘sanctuary cities’ from existing. During the ongoing crackdown on migrants across the nation, communities and organizations must come together to educate one another about their rights.
With thousands of Venezuelans in Chicago facing deportation, there is an organization that has been tirelessly working to support the Venezuelan community abroad since 2016 by sending medical and food supplies to Venezuela, which was facing economic collapse at that time. Fast forward to 2025: the organization opened its first-ever office three months ago in Chicago, Illinois. Its mission is to serve the Venezuelan community now living in Illinois and across the nation. Ana Gil, the founding director of the Illinois Venezuelan Alliance, is a retired professor from Northern Illinois University and is Venezuelan herself. El Tribuno del Pueblo had the opportunity to interview her during the Democratic National Convention, where we learned about the reasons behind Venezuelan migration.
The Illinois Venezuelan Alliance is located at 3440 W 26th St, Chicago, IL. It is open to the public on weekdays from 9 AM to 3 PM. It’s important to remember that Venezuelans represent a new type of migrant. These individuals are particularly vulnerable compared to other undocumented immigrants because there is no Venezuelan embassy in the United States. The Venezuelan government has cut its diplomatic ties with the U.S., meaning there is no embassy available to assist its citizens with paperwork or offer protection. Many Venezuelans faced severe challenges when crossing the Darién Gap, suffering from robberies and violent crimes, which often resulted in the loss or theft of their passports and birth certificates. As a result, some mothers are now giving birth on U.S. soil, and their babies are currently without an identity or birth certificate.
Venezuelans who migrate are typically in their 20s and 30s. They were born under Maduro’s regime and have no experience of life in a democracy. Instead, they have been offered financial incentives by their government to have more children while facing limited job opportunities and living on $6 a month. Many Venezuelans relied on food boxes provided by their government, often standing in line from dawn until dusk for basic items; thus, the concept of “working” is foreign to them. These are important considerations when thinking about Venezuelan migrants. They are a new type of immigrant who needs education and protection. The Illinois Venezuelan Alliance does a fantastic job hosting educational classes, covering topics from work ethic to how to dress in the winter. They connect their clients with other organizations in the Chicagoland area that offer services to the migrant community, and provide legal advice to their clients.
There is currently a divide within the Latino community. Many undocumented immigrants in Chicago were not welcoming the idea of Venezuelans receiving temporary legal status, as they had not received similar support. It is important to recognize that the issue lies not only with the Biden administration but also with the entire immigration system in this country. It is not the migrants’ fault; instead, we should advocate for policy changes and educate one another on ways to promote acceptance and unity among our immigrant community living in the United States. The United States has and always will be a country of migrants, so let’s welcome every migrant with open arms.
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