During a news conference on Tuesday, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson announced a new policy allowing undocumented immigrants to apply for flood relief aid without disclosing their immigration status. This decision comes in the wake of severe flooding in parts of Chicago and northwest Indiana, with at least five inches of rainfall causing extensive damage and disrupting daily life. Johnson emphasized that the city’s commitment to being a sanctuary city means that all residents, regardless of their legal status, can access assistance. The mayor highlighted the importance of privacy in the application process, stating that the Welcoming City Ordinance ensures that individuals’ documentation status will not be disclosed.
‘We want to ensure that the residents of the communities that have been hit the hardest know that the full force of government will remain constant until families get full restoration,’ Johnson said during the press conference. The mayor’s announcement follows a recent report detailing the impact of the heavy rains, which have caused flooding and long delays for residents. In the aftermath of the storm, the city is also focusing on long-term infrastructure improvements to combat the effects of climate change. Johnson stated that the city must make structural changes to its infrastructure and increase its efforts to plant trees to absorb water and reduce the impact of extreme weather events.
Additionally, Johnson addressed the broader issue of climate change, noting that Chicago’s working-class communities are experiencing more frequent 100-year storms and extreme weather. He emphasized the need for climate-resilient infrastructure and called for a comprehensive approach to addressing the challenges posed by climate change. The mayor also mentioned the importance of protecting the city’s residents, including undocumented individuals, from potential federal immigration enforcement actions. Johnson reiterated his stance against cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), citing his city’s role as a sanctuary city.
The mayor’s announcement has sparked discussions about the balance between providing aid to those in need and maintaining the city’s policies regarding undocumented immigrants. While the policy aims to ensure that no one is left behind in the wake of natural disasters, critics argue that it could complicate the process of verifying eligibility for aid. Nonetheless, Johnson remains committed to his stance, stating that the city will continue to support all residents, regardless of their immigration status, in times of crisis.