Determined to put a stamp on Chicago as the most immigrant-friendly city in the United States, 35th Ward Ald. Carlos Rosa unveiled a comprehensive immigrant integration plan at an August 18 City Hall press conference.
Rosa was surrounded in unity by 10th Ward Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza and representatives from 14 members of a coalition of civil rights and advocacy organizations which—for the past two months—pooled resources and ideas in order to formulate each of the plan's six major policy proposals.
While calling for support on reform initiatives currently in discussion in City Council meeting rooms, the plan recommended expansion of legal services and the provision of pro bono or low-cost representation to low-income residents who must navigate through Chicago's immigration courts.
It also seeks to significantly broaden protections for undocumented immigrants under Chicago's "Welcoming Cities Ordinance." Passed in 2012, the ordinance prohibits Chicago Police Department ( CPD ) officers from detaining undocumented individuals or questioning them as to their legal status without an individual having a warrant, prior felony conviction or unless they demonstrate "a clear threat to public safety of national security."
However, the plan states that such exceptions are "arbitrary" and suggests that ordinance protections include all immigrants in order to create a "clearer separation between law enforcement and federal deportation pursuits."
The plan's proposal for a municipal identification card to be carried by all Chicago residents is similar to a program launched by New York Mayor Bill de Blasio in January of 2015. New Yorkers over 14-years-old can apply for the card which provides access to libraries, cultural venues and events, the ability to open a bank account or enroll in city services and benefit programs regardless of immigrant status.
The plan stressed that any data received from applicants should be kept well out-of-reach of immigration enforcement officers.
Proposals also included an increase in current language access for non-English speaking immigrants to encompass the CPD, Chicago Fire Department and Chicago Public Schools, a mini-grant or low-interest loan program to benefit low-income Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals ( DACA ) and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans ( DAPA ) applicants as well as improved access to Chicago agencies for immigrants who are victims of crime or civil and labor rights abuses.
Rosa said that meetings are already underway with Mayor Rahm Emanuel's office and that each of the plan's proposals are currently being workshopped to determine factors such as cost of implementation. "When you stop [immigrants] from being deported that has the benefit for the city," he stated. "It keeps a family from seeking public assistance and ensures that the breadwinner remains in the city."
"I see thousands of people who need to be represented," Garza added. "I stand with this 100 percent."
Her sentiments were echoed by advocacy group leaders and representatives.
Rafael Robles and his brother Carlos were two teenage honor-roll students who received nationwide media attention after their 2010 arrest and the beginning of deportation proceedings against them. Rafael has since graduated from college and attended the press conference as a representative of the National Immigrant Justice Coalition ( NIJC )—which fought successfully for their release.
"We are all sons and daughters of our wandering ancestors," Congregational Coordinator for the Chicago New Sanctuary Project Rev. Sarah Wohlleb said. "We should show the rest of the nation and indeed the rest of the world a welcoming spirit is the only way forward for a world-class city like Chicago.
For details of the immigrant integration plan, visit www.Aldermancarlosrosa.org .
