In 1985, Chicago first declared itself a sanctuary city for illegal immigrants. In 2006, it enshrined those protections under the Welcoming City Ordinance. Now, in 2024, the city is kicking illegal immigrants out on the streets as the winter weather rolls in.

Mayor Brandon Johnson announced that Chicago would be merging the shelter system for illegal immigrants with the city’s homeless shelter system. As a result, only illegal immigrants who have been in the country for less than a month will be eligible to be placed in the “new arrivals” shelters in Chicago. Among them, only those who are sick, pregnant, or disabled will be eligible for extensions until the new year begins.