Opinion

Let asylum-seekers work while cases reviewed

Posted June 21, 2023 1:00 am

According to the city of Chicago's Mayor's Office of New Americans, as of June 6, 10,791 migrants have arrived in Chicago who are homeless and without sponsors. Of them, 5,708 arrived on buses sent from Texas and 5,083 arrived via other means.

The majority are asylum-seekers who have fled their home country and are seeking safety in the United States. Over 4,500 asylum-seekers are in temporary shelters while others have been staying in police stations as they await placement in shelters. The city and state finances are being stretched to meet this demand.

One way to ease this crisis is to allow asylum-seekers temporary work permits so that they can support themselves and not rely on government assistance.

I urge both state and federal legislators to enact legislation that allows able-bodied asylum-seekers the dignity to work and provide for themselves and their families while their cases are being adjudicated.

Michael Gosch

Arlington Heights

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