In February 2023, the initial buses transporting migrants arrived in the Woodlawn neighborhood’s South Side, bringing around a hundred men and women to take residence at the vacant Wadsworth Elementary School. The school had been largely unused since 2013 when it was closed by then-mayor Rahm Emanuel, along with approximately fifty other schools across Chicago.
During the arrival, residents Luis Cardona and Andre Smith, the latter campaigning to become the alderman of the Twentieth Ward, initially attempted to halt the passengers from disembarking.
However, Smith eventually stepped aside when faced with potential arrest by police officers. He clarified to reporters that their actions weren’t directed at the migrants but were a response to the lack of earlier engagement from city officials.
Kenneth Phelps, the senior pastor at Concord Missionary Baptist Church, described the atmosphere in Woodlawn as tense due to the presence of the migrants. Phelps, deeply connected to the church and community, has been accommodating migrants despite resistance from some Black residents.
Alongside regular church services, Phelps initiated bilingual services twice a month for the migrant population, aiming to eventually make them weekly. He expanded the church’s facilities and services to cater to the needs of both congregations, fostering integration through shared meals and community discussions aimed at identifying common needs and encouraging collaboration.
Addressing Chicago’s Migrant Challenge: Can the City Manage the Situation? (Credits: NBC News)
Phelps emphasized his efforts to combat narratives of division between Black and Latin American migrant communities in Chicago, labeling it as a harmful “discord narrative” that undermines collective efforts for essential resources like jobs, housing, and healthcare.
Since August 2022, over thirty-eight thousand migrants have arrived in Chicago, predominantly sent by Texas Governor Greg Abbott via hundreds of buses. While the influx hasn’t introduced new crises to neighborhoods like Woodlawn, it has exacerbated longstanding issues such as declining Black populations, economic disparities, and educational challenges.
In May 2023, when plans to repurpose the South Shore High School building as a shelter were revealed without community consultation, local activists including J. Darnell Jones and Natasha Dunn filed a complaint against the city.
Their aim was to preserve the school for community use, ultimately securing a restraining order against its conversion into a shelter. Similarly, in October 2023, plans to accommodate migrants in the Amundsen Park field house in the West Side neighborhood of Austin were met with opposition and legal action from concerned residents. Howard Ray, a longtime Austin resident, expressed concerns about the city’s allocation of resources, lamenting the impact on existing communities.
Despite grievances directed towards Governor Abbott, Mayor Brandon Johnson, and the federal government for their handling of the situation, many Black residents in affected neighborhoods don’t harbor animosity towards the migrants but rather advocate for community-centered solutions.
Aimee Hilado, a professor and advocate, highlighted the mental health challenges faced by migrants, exacerbated by uncertainty and inadequate support systems. Mayor Johnson’s administration has begun evicting migrants from shelters, aiming for resettlement and self-sufficiency, although concerns remain regarding the well-being of displaced individuals.
Dairí Liliana Granadillo, a migrant from Colombia, shared her arduous journey to Chicago and her struggles with discrimination and instability. Despite challenges, she remains hopeful for a better future, echoing the aspirations of many migrants seeking refuge in the United States.
While tensions persist in Woodlawn, Pastor Phelps continues his efforts to bridge divides and provide support to both migrant and local communities, despite facing criticism from some within his congregation. Through his sermons and actions, Phelps aims to offer solace and encouragement to all members of his diverse congregation, emphasizing themes of endurance and hope amidst adversity.
