Chicago to Close Three Migrant Shelters in October Amid Decline in Arrivals

Chicago plans shelter consolidation as migrant numbers drop, shifting focus to their future needs

Pilsen migrant shelter in Chicago, one of three to be shut down next monthPhoto byScreen Capture/Youtube Video [Creator]

CHICAGO - The city of Chicago has announced the closure of three migrant shelters in October due to a decline in arrivals from the southern U.S. border and Texas. The shelters, located in the Pilsen, West Town, and Kenwood neighborhoods, are set to shut down next month as the need for temporary housing has diminished. This decrease in arrivals follows a recent executive order limiting the number of people who can seek asylum in the U.S. each day.

The closures reflect a significant shift from the situation last year when Chicago experienced a surge in migrant arrivals. Paula Gean, co-founder of the grassroots organization "Chicago 4 All," emphasized that the shelters were never intended to be a permanent solution. "A year ago, it was all hands on deck," Gean said, noting that the current situation marks a transition away from crisis management.

Last October, nearly 12,000 migrants were housed in city shelters, while an additional 3,000 sought temporary refuge in Chicago police stations and at O'Hare International Airport. In contrast, this year there are approximately 5,000 open beds across the city's shelter system. The reduced demand has led officials to close three shelters while still maintaining capacity for future arrivals.

One of the shelters slated for closure, located on South Halsted Street in Pilsen, faced public scrutiny following the tragic death of a five-year-old boy in December. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office later reported that the boy died from sepsis caused by strep throat, though he also suffered from two viral infections, including COVID-19.

All residents currently housed in the three shelters will be relocated to other facilities. City officials stated that nearly 2,000 open beds will remain available across the shelter system in preparation for any future influx of migrants. According to Sylvia Puente, president of the Latino Policy Forum, the consolidation of shelter operations is expected to promote efficiency and reduce costs.

While Puente views the closures as a positive step toward better resource management, she also expressed concerns about the logistics of relocating families. “What happens to their children in terms of their schools and education?” Puente asked, pointing to potential challenges for families adjusting to new locations.

Jendi Mendoza, a mother of two currently residing at the Pilsen shelter, echoed these concerns. Through translators, she shared her worries about how the move will affect her children's education and the impact of winter weather. “The children, where are they going to go? It's going to get cold. If the shelter is not far, how long are we going to be from the shelter to school?” Mendoza said in an interview with Telemundo Chicago.

City officials, in coordination with Chicago Public Schools, are working to minimize disruptions for the families being relocated. Their goal is to ensure that children can continue attending their current schools with minimal interruptions.

Since the arrival of the first buses of migrants in 2022, Chicago has spent at least $464 million on resources for the incoming population. Beatriz Ponce de Leon, Chicago's Deputy Mayor for Immigrant and Migrant Rights, said that several factors were considered when deciding which shelters to close, including operational costs.

“We landed on these three shelters for now," Ponce de Leon explained. "We will continue to assess the situation and make adjustments based on our needs.”

The Pilsen and West Town shelters are scheduled to close on October 1, while the Lakeshore shelter will remain open until October 24.