Chicago Migration Stories

Maria

Motivation for moving to Chicago: Family and new opportunities.

Where they immigrated from: Venezuela

Interviewed by: Crystal and Zayd

Maria moved to Chicago 2 years ago with her husband Sebastian. She met her husband in Ecuador and the two of them crossed to the US border and were brought straight to Chicago via bus and train, it was their first choice in places to live. They came to find new economic opportunities and now sell hand-made food on nearby college campuses to make money and afford rent. Maria is grateful for her husband, and now her sister-in-law who just came to Chicago 2 months of them.

They have had trouble finding support and resources in Chicago, but have always found community in their local church and with each other. Maria is excited to have more stability in Chicago, and really enjoys the city she now lives in.

Sebastian

Motivation for moving to Chicago: Family and new opportunities

Where they immigrated from: Ecuador

Interviewed by: Zayd and Crystal

Sebastian has been living in Chicago for the past 2 years ago with his wife Maria. His wife first came to Ecuador where him and his sister are from, and then he moved to the states with Maria later. he was recently able to bring his sister Luisa up to Chicago as well which he is very pleased about. Him and Maria crossed the US border and were brought straight to Chicago via bus and train, it was their first choice in places to live. He first moved here to find new economic opportunities and now sell hand-mades food on nearby college campuses with his wife and sister to make money and afford rent. He is proud of the life he has built here with his family and has found community in their local church.

Luisa

Motivation for moving to Chicago: Family

Where they immigrated from: Ecuador

Interviewed by: Crystal and Zayd

Luisa grew up in Ecuador with her brother Sebastian. After Sebastion got married, he immigrated to Chicago with his wife. Luisa soon followed and has been living in Chicago 2 months after crossing the US border and taking a bus directly to Chicago to be reunited with her family. It has been a big adjustment for her, but she is very lucky to have her brother and sister-in-law to support her, as well as their local church. She is not excited to experience her first full winter in Chicago, but is still happy she chose here over some other city in the US. She lives near a college campus and the 3 of them sell hand-made foods.

Karina Solano

Interviewed by Alisyn

In Spring Quarter, 2024, Alisyn was able to conduct an interview with Karina Solano from Organized Communities Against Deportation. They spoke significantly about how OCAD interacts with and develops communities of migrants in the Chicagoland area. Karina pointed to one of their largest programs, the Pen Pals program, as an example of how OCAD helps foster a sense of community and provides emotional assistance. In this program, OCAD has volunteers and families, as well as some lawyers, who keep consistent communication with immigrants from the Chicago area who are currently in ICE detention facilities in surrounding states. Additionally, OCAD has been able to use these connections to monitor situations in detention centers, which was incredibly helpful when the last detention centers in Chicago were closing. Solano described the story of Al-Amin, an immigrant from Bangladesh, who provided OCAD with information about upcoming transfers to other facilities, a situation ICE had ensured would not be happening. This meant that OCAD was able to put together a protest and start the legal paperwork opposing these bordering-unlawful transfers. 

The conversation with Karina Solano also gave insight into the most common issues she sees migrants experiencing. She spoke particularly to the criminalization of black and brown immigrants. She noted how the different treatment of migrants based on their race and ethnicity is one of the most prominent issues that migrants face. This racism is one of the main reasons in which detention is considered widely acceptable to many, and is thus something which she believes herself and OCAD as responsible to examine and try to rectify. Solano stated that, overall, it is of the utmost importance to eradicate all detention or incarceration for migrants, removing the ability for immigrants to be transferred to other states for detention. She describes how, although most migrants she knows don’t know, and will likely never know about the Illinois Way Forward Act, it is crucial to pass more similar legislation nation-wide.

Ayo

Motivation for moving to Chicago: Being connected to family and opportunities

Where they immigrated rom: Nigeria, Britain

Interviewed by: Alexis

Ayo moved from Nigeria, by way of Britain, to Chicago, IL when she was three years old. She, her sister and her mother joined her father who secured a spot, and immigration sponsorship, with a medical program at the Cook County Hospital. While Ayo grew up on the West side of Chicago in the 90s, her family found community with the other Nigerian and African participants in her father’s medical program. The families came together for holidays, supported each other by dividing up childcare responsibilities and carpooling as well as being connected in their Christian faith. This extended family supported her as she struggled to be accepted as an immigrant in school and the larger West side community; being bullied and othered for her Nigerian culture. After years of being treated like an outsider, Ayo was initial resistant to applying for US citizenship, but eventually applied and was sworn in as a citizen at the age of 18. 

Now, Ayo lives on the South side of Chicago with her husband and their one year old son. She is now supporting her husband, who is a Nigerian citizen, as he is pursuing permanent residency in the US. Her husband has had a fraught experience with the immigration system having had previous visa applications denied without clear explanation, even though he was accepted to study law in Chicago. Currently her husband’s status is in a limbo-like state as he continues his education. He was granted work authorization during Ibie’s pregnancy, but he is not viewed as a desirable candidate in the legal sector because of his immigrant status and has experienced workplace malpractice with limited ability for recourse. Ayo described the overall experience to go through the legal process as extremely demoralizing as she and her husband begin to grow their family while waiting for a response from the immigration courts.

Onward House

Volunteer work done by: Haley

Over the course of two months, Haley volunteered at a food pantry, a free store, an art therapy workshop, and a food kitchen, and learned that acquiring individual resources allows people to come together as a community. When she went to Onward House, for example, she was told that there would be a workshop on resources for immigrants. When Haley sat down with her laptop and was planning to use it to take notes about legal resources, it soon became obvious that she would not need a laptop to take notes. She was handed a pencil, paper, a glue stick, and scissors instead. It was an art therapy clinic, and soon, adults and children alike filled every seat in the room, some even standing in the back of the room. The speaker explained how art allows you to deal with the anger, loneliness, fear, insecurity, and depression that comes with integrating into a new life by drawing, respectively, squares, lies, arrows, flowers, or clouds. Haley was amazed by how effectively art could provide both individuals and community with the tools necessary to overcome emotional barriers. But more importantly, she was surprised by how many people were willing to take two hours out of their day to attend an art therapy class. At other organizations, she noticed that food, clothes, even language education served both the individual and community. The most poignant takeaway from my experience volunteering, then, would be seeing how access to resources allow people to flourish among and within a larger community.

Emiliana

Motivation for moving to Chicago: Family

Where they immigrated from: Venezuela

Interviewed by: Asher

Emiliana came to Chicago from Venezuela with her partner and three young children. On her way to the US, she passed through Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico. She crossed close to El Paso and passed through Denver on her way to Chicago. Her first day in Chicago was extremely difficult. She and her family were camped out outside the police station (where she was recommended to go on TikTok) for several days before being brought to a shelter. Since then, they have slowly gained a sense of stability, her husband obtaining a steadier job. She works as a cleaner on weekends and spends much of her time searching for a job—which is difficult because she doesn’t have a work permit; it’s a document she’s still waiting for. 

Emiliana has been going through her asylum process this year, and she attends immigration court in Maryland through Webex. She still does not have a lawyer; she’s hoping to find one at an affordable price (she feels they’re not financially stable enough to have one). Socially, she feels like she’s somewhat integrated into American culture, but she feels like not knowing English (and she knows almost none) is a major barrier to being part of society. While her daughters are studying in school in English, she has no classes and her primary English education (other than what she learned in school in Venezuela) comes from Venezuela. Besides her family, she is rather socially isolated, even when it comes to other Spanish speakers—she usually goes straight from work to home without interacting with anyone. 

Adan

Motivation for moving to Chicago: Education

Where they immigrated from: Ghana

Interviewed by: Esi

Mr. Adan came to Chicago initially to attend seminary school but later decided to pursue a Master’s degree. He first arrived via Kentucky in 2008 before moving to Chicago a year later in 2009. Upon arrival, he faced many challenges. One of the glaring challenges Mr. Adan faced was the lack of knowledge of anything. He noted that he, and many other migrants, often do not know much about how to navigate life in a foreign country and receive the support they need; he thought, “It is America; anywhere in America is better than Ghana.” He acknowledged that while this sentiment proved true for the most part, he was unprepared for life in America and the challenges he would face in adjusting to life. For instance, he noted that when he first arrived in Lexington, Kentucky, the nearest grocery store or Walmart was over 30 minutes away, and there were no accessible means of transportation to the Walmart. Once he moved to Chicago, he realized that not all parts of America are the same. In Chicago, public transportation, grocery stores, and other migrant communities were much more accessible. He realized that not all parts of America are the same. He said, “It is true America is still America, but at least get some awareness about where you are going” because you will face limitations and hurdles in America. Furthermore, Mr. Adan said, “You can make things easier for yourself if you find out more” to better prepare for what lies ahead. Though his friends and community members have moved to other cities in the U.S., Mr. Adan does not see himself leaving the city soon because it has everything he needs to thrive.

Over the years, his community has evolved to include people from all walks of life. However, at the beginning of his migration journey, he developed a community primarily with other African migrants in his church. Within the community, he faced challenges, including limited access to resources, misinformation, and unpaid labor. Later, other community members were willing to support him in his education and the immigration process. Over the years, through university, Mr. Adan expanded his community to include people worldwide, including India, Brazil, Mexico, and Guatemala. His education enabled him to navigate the immigration process by himself. Most of his encounters with the legal process were through the USCIS website, where he found information on the various applications he needed to complete, any changes within the law, and other things concerning the immigration process. When navigating his immigration process, he scarcely engages with other individuals, attorneys, or external actors. Nevertheless, he supports others who need help navigating the system by providing the necessary resources and information. He received some support in his early years in the U.S., so he wanted to ensure he paid it forward. 

Through his various encounters with other migrants in his community, a notable story was that of an elderly Ghanaian man, a taxi driver who went through the legal process to become a citizen of the U.S. Yet, he still feels inferior and unqualified to receive governmental services, such as Medicare, that he is entitled. Mr. Adan mentioned in one part that the fear of deportation, even when migrants become citizens, is a looming threat that prevents them from engaging with the government and, consequently, other governmental services. To combat the existing tension and apprehension among migrants, Mr. Adan suggested potential partnerships between governmental agencies, communities, and community groups that support migrants. He noted that engaging in conversation with migrants in their various communities to educate them about their rights and navigating the immigration process, among others, would increase the trust migrants have in governmental agencies.

Onward House

Visited by: Malena

During Spring Quarter 2024, Malena went to two external events at Onward Community House. 

The first was a meeting with two caseworkers employed in the welcoming office of Onward House, Vanessa and Jessica. They shared with our research group information about the communities that the migrants with whom they work find once they arrive in Chicago. Most of the migrants come to the city, and the United States at large, to find employment. Due to the vitality of that motivation–employment can be the difference between survival and death after immigrating–Jessica reported that many migrants “forget” about the simultaneous importance of community, their culture, and even their own families. Vanessa highlighted that this “survival mentality” is particularly common when fathers come to the United States for work. As such, both caseworkers advise the migrants they work with to try to incorporate community-building efforts into their lives, especially through events Onward House hosts for this specific purpose. They both recalled fondly the holiday events like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Mother’s Day socials Onward House has hosted in their space which combine the traditions of the United States and various countries in Latin America like the curation of menus that blend the cuisines of both regions. They described how every caseworker employed by Onward House is of Latin American descent so they are sensitive to the cultural intricacies specific to the region and formulate workshops and events relevant to this experience.

The second event Malena attended was one of these aforementioned workshops. Their spring workshop series hosted in Spanish takes place every Monday in one of the Onward House conference rooms and the topic changes each week. On May 6th, the topic was “Apego Familiar Seguro,” “Secure Family Attachment.” Approximately 24 attendees (excluding our research group) were present, consisting primarily of female-presenting individuals and their young children. Jessica first provided a summary of all of the free services Onward House can provide to the migrant attendees. Then Daniela A. Barrios Morello, LCSW gave a presentation on the importance of strong family bonds after immigrating to the United States. The attendees and Morello had a lively conversation about proper conduct for disciplining children as dictated by the societal norms of the United States versus Latin America. While there was some disagreement about approaches, all attendees agreed that the underlying purpose of each form of discipline was to love and support their children who may struggle to adapt to life in a new country. Overall, the discussion remained light and even humorous at times, indicating that these attendees felt comfortable talking about important topics in this space with one another. This demonstrated the great strides Onward House has made in fostering community for these new migrants.

Oslo

Motivation for moving to Chicago: Better opportunities and equality

Where they immigrated from: Guatemala

Interviewed by Emily

Oslo came to the United States in December of 2022 from Guatemala. He crossed into the country at the Southern Border and was originally received in Texas. He was then flown from Texas to Chicago. Oslo traveled with a group of people to the border, but he didn’t know any of them and traveled without family. He didn’t know anyone in the United States and entered without speaking English, without a grasp of the legal system, and without any documentation or identification. Oslo spent his first two months in Chicago in a migrant shelter. He recalls that they were very strict there and he didn’t get out much. At the shelter they gave him a list of lawyers he could reach out to, but found that all of those attorneys specialized in cases with minors and could not help him, as he is 23. He recounts that they did not supply him with many resources relating to outside organizations that could help his situation. His “saving grace” has been the Illinois Community for Displaced Immigrants (ICDI). He was connected with them through a social worker at the shelter, but hadn’t heard anything about the program before then. ICDI was able to set him up with a place to live, clothing, food access, and a lawyer. Since connecting with IDCI he has gotten a work permit, a job, a social security number, and is now living in the Chicago suburbs with a Colombian family that also recently migrated to the US. Although his lawyer doesn’t speak Spanish and it is often difficult to fully communicate, he does feel like a priority and has been able to get documentation and is actively working on his case. He had previously been working under the table at an Indian Restaurant, but since getting his work permit has gotten a job at a medical air tank factory. This new job has better pay, hours, benefits, and most importantly is much more stable. Oslo is looking forward to resuming his English classes now that he has a job with more reliable hours, as they were difficult to find the time for at his previous job. He hopes that knowing English will open more doors for him and overall be helpful in public and socially.