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* Tribune…
When migrants arrive in Chicago’s airports on flights paid for by Catholic Charities in San Antonio, they often have little to no money, connections or plan for what to do next.
Catholic Charities in Chicago is not there to greet them because its counterpart in Texas does not coordinate with it. Few of the migrants have friends or family here to meet them. […]
The haphazard transferral of migrants not only calls into question the best use of taxpayer money and donations, but also fosters discussion about the moral obligations of faith-based groups. […]
“From our point of view, we want to make sure any client coming into our care is receiving the most dignified care possible. For right now, it is flying them to their final destination at their request,” [Chief Development Officer of Catholic Charities San Antonio Tara Ford] said.
Ford declined to comment when asked whether sending migrants into freezing temperatures without a place to stay could be considered dignified care.
Catholic Charities of Chicago says it receives no notice from its counterpart when migrants arrive in Chicago. “Specifically, Catholic Charities of San Antonio has not chosen to share any information with us about arrivals,” Mary Krinock, chief of staff of Catholic Charities of Chicago, said in a written statement.
It never ceases to amaze me that Catholic Charities of San Antonio does zero coordination with Catholic Charities of Chicago. The Cardinal might wanna pick up a phone.
* More…
Catholic Charities Archdiocese of San Antonio Inc. receives millions of dollars from the federal government’s Shelter and Services Program, and from state, city, county and foundation money.
Chicago also receives a chunk of federal funding. But the program — which provides money for sheltering services to migrants who have been released by the Department of Homeland Security — only applies within 45 days of their release.
“The 45-day time stamp doesn’t work for the model that we have here in Chicago,” Pacione-Zayas said at last month’s briefing.
* Meanwhile, from the Sun-Times…
Hundreds gathered to march and demonstrate in Brighton Park Friday afternoon to voice their opposition to a proposed winter camp for asylum-seekers in the Southwest Side neighborhood. […]
Fliers distributed by organizers of the event — which were also taped to the ward office windows — suggested the city should instead put homeless residents into vacant properties, and also build the asylum-seeker camps in unincorporated areas, and include their own schools and other facilities.
No mention in the story of who organized the event, but protestors’ signs were clearly printed by a professional. Not saying that’s bad, just saying that maybe the organizers should be identified.
* From Isabel…
* Tribune | Migrant family journeys back to Venezuela, more leaving Chicago as winter looms: ‘The American Dream doesn’t exist anymore’: Over the past five months since arriving in Chicago, Andrea Carolina Sevilla’s parents have been unable to enroll her in school even though the reason they left everything behind in their native Venezuela was for her to have access to better education. In Venezuela, she said, she was lucky she could even attend school. Many other teenagers start working at an early age to help out their families, who often face extreme poverty.
* Tribune | City ID card event cancellations frustrate migrants desperate for official identification: But the morning of the event, it was abruptly canceled as city staffers struggled to keep the crowd that had grown to 1,000 under control. “I started to cry,” said Olachea, her voice cracking. “We had been awake for almost two days straight, making sure that we kept our place in line, and then all of a sudden it was canceled. … I’m angry and frustrated, but I’m more than anything sad because we are trying to make this work.”
* ABC Chicago | Brighton Park residents protest, march Friday against plans for migrant camp: The city says the lot in Brighton Park that it’s leasing, is still under an environmental review, but work crews proceed to move forward. Friday morning, however, there was no work being done on the lot. […] In a statement the city acknowledged plans for the Morgan Park lot to be converted to an affordable housing complex next year, writing, “The commitments from the Johnson Administration are expansive — a base camp deadline, community contracts, capital improvements, support for housing, health and safety, and breaking ground on Morgan Park Commons in 2024.”
* NBC Chicago | Project allowing Chicago migrants to acquire work permits begins this week: Organizers expect that 150 migrants will start the process on Thursday, while aiming to have double that amount per day by Thanksgiving. TRP estimates that approximately 11,000 migrants in Chicago are eligible for work permits, though it excludes a large portion of Chicago’s migrant community.
* WTTW | As Backlash Against Chicago’s Sanctuary City Status Gains Steam, Supporters Warn of Consequences: Despite the fact that the city’s sanctuary city status has nothing legally to do with the migrants, Ald. Anthony Beale (9th Ward) and Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th Ward) have demanded a nonbinding referendum on the city’s sanctuary city status, which they both have long opposed, on the March primary election ballot. … “We have to draw the line somewhere,” Beale said, falsely accusing the migrants of committing crimes in Chicago.
* Sun-Times Editorial Board | Migrant crisis won’t be solved by repealing Welcoming City ordinance: And critically, a repeal will not stop the tide of migrants being bused here courtesy of Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s political grandstanding.
* STLPR | St. Charles County Council to consider resolution decrying bringing Latin Americans to region: The St. Charles County Council will consider a resolution Monday that opposes the International Institute of St. Louis’ plan to bring Latin American immigrants from Chicago to the region to boost the population and workforce. Some council members say publicity about the program prompted them to propose the resolution. “The St. Charles County Council is strongly opposed to the importation of illegal immigrants into the region based on current federal and state statutes that make their unlawful entry into the United States a criminal offense,” wrote resolution sponsors Matt Swanson, Joe Brazil, Dave Hammond and Tim Baker.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Nov 13, 23 @ 10:36 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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I m not sure if it is tangentially relevant, but the Pope just fired the Bishop from Texas. I have to wonder if the Bishops firey brand of conservativism was in part related to the Texas Catholics’ decision to send refugees and foreigners away.
Comment by H-W Monday, Nov 13, 23 @ 10:45 am
“The St. Charles County Council is strongly opposed to the importation of illegal immigrants into the region based on current federal and state statutes that make their unlawful entry into the United States a criminal offense,” wrote resolution sponsors Matt Swanson, Joe Brazil, Dave Hammond and Tim Baker.
Just to be clear doe this mean they are ok with asylum seekers who are legal?
Comment by 17% Solution Monday, Nov 13, 23 @ 10:58 am
== the Pope just fired the Bishop from Texas. ==
That was unrelated to the migrant crisis.
I’m wondering if the city of Chicago has contemplated going to court and getting an injunction against the Catholic Charities chapter in Texas. Sending people north with no plan other to sleep outdoors in the cold is beyond reckless.
Comment by Anon404 Monday, Nov 13, 23 @ 11:04 am
==the Pope just fired the Bishop from Texas==
He fired a bishop in Texas. The Diocese of Tyler, TX has no ministerial oversight of or involvement with the Archdiocese of San Antonio, which has an archbishop and two auxiliary bishops of its own.
Comment by Anon324 Monday, Nov 13, 23 @ 11:05 am
“It never ceases to amaze me that Catholic Charities of San Antonio does zero coordination”
I would be amazed if they operated any other way.
I’ve said it before and get jeered for doing so - The point is not to help anyone. The point is for the believer to have the personal experience of helping, because that is what their faith calls for. The outcome of those actions are irrelevant.
The same operational failures happen at the local levels with Catholic Charities, where the end goal is only to satisfy the believers desire to meet the demands of the faith. More often than not, this ends up doing tremendous damage to those being ‘helped’, because the outcome is not actually relevant.
This outcome is actually fine from an organizational point of view, because it allows for the conditions which create people to help, to be perpetuated and supply the believer with an endless supply of people to ‘help’, and satisfy the demands of their faith to do so.
I don’t agree with what they are doing, but I recognize it. Mostly because at one point I was inside of this organization to see how this mindset permeates everything.
Bluntly, Religion will never solve any problems. At best it will perpetuate them and more often than not it will exacerbate them.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Monday, Nov 13, 23 @ 11:06 am
== to voice their opposition==
Nothing like having compassion for your fellow man.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Nov 13, 23 @ 11:13 am
Pick up the phone. It seems they should know who to call since the Archbishop of San Antonio was an auxiliary bishop in Chicago for at least a decade before heading SW about 12 years ago.
The CEO of Catholic Charities of San Antonio,J. Antonio Fernandez was VP of Catholic Charities of Chicago until 2013.
Communicate please.
Comment by northsider (the original) Monday, Nov 13, 23 @ 11:15 am
Seems like Cardinal Soup might want to jet down to TX (before heading back to Rome) and ask how they decided to flood Chicago? Then he might want to ask how these folks get airborne? Most of us who fly must show TSA a valid photo i.d.
Comment by Annonin' Monday, Nov 13, 23 @ 11:21 am
===Most of us who fly must show===
I’ve gotten around that when I lost my ID. Just had to go through extra screening.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Nov 13, 23 @ 11:28 am
Catholic Charities of San Antonio is doing the dirty work of Governor Abbott under the phony guise of “dignified care.” Cardinals in both dioceses are conspicuously quiet.
Comment by Pundent Monday, Nov 13, 23 @ 11:28 am
What better proof than this that there is no separation of church and state in America. Lots of money going to the Catholic Church on this one.
Comment by Barber Shop Lawyer Monday, Nov 13, 23 @ 11:36 am
“From our point of view, we want to make sure any client coming into our care is receiving the most dignified care possible.”
Republicans “make believe friend in the clouds” said the same, exact thing. (sarcasm intentional)
Comment by Jerry Monday, Nov 13, 23 @ 11:37 am
phone works both ways. just because folks in san antonio don’t do the right thing doesn’t absolve folks up here from doing more to connect with those recalcitrant deficient texans. it isn’t about who was right or who gets blame, it is about shelter and warmth and care. signed, the kid of a CCD teacher and former parish council member.
Comment by sewer thoughts Monday, Nov 13, 23 @ 11:38 am
Obfuscation in the Catholic Church continues. Whether it is the abuse scandal, Catholic Charities, or the migrant crisis, there is no effective guidance from individuals in leadership positions.
In addition to priests, there are a number of Suits in each diocese who could effectively coordinate a response to housing and to educating migrants. Empty churches, empty schools, and convents abound in the Archdiocese.
Yet, we hear nothing but crickets.
Comment by Rudy’s teeth Monday, Nov 13, 23 @ 11:46 am
Well as someone who works for the Church for sure they need to get things in order. Somehow I do not think Pope Francis would approve of this craziness and confusing. Getting immigrants to the place they want to go is fine, but it does not involve simply handing out airfares. I have to think the Church and Catholic Charities can think better than this. Yes, Cardinal Cupich should get involved for appoint someone to coordinate the mess.
Comment by clec dcn Monday, Nov 13, 23 @ 12:02 pm
Barber Shop Lawyer brings the important point, that lots of money is going to the (Roman) Catholic Church from our government. And in this case it it crystal clear that it is accomplishing nothing. In France you can’t just get married in a religious ceremony after obtaining a marriage license from the government. You must have a civil ceremony even if you have a religious one. That’s how serious they got/are about the separation after all that Cardinal Richelieu and stuff. when are we gonna get serious here and keep religion out of our government? oh, yeah, when someone yells about Islamic whatevr. Stop abusing the process Texas folks.
Comment by Amalia Monday, Nov 13, 23 @ 12:05 pm
There doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of coordination between the Federal government and the local officials here with the city and state either.
One reason the administration is finally making an effort to border more secure
https://www.axios.com/2023/10/10/bidens-border-wall-approval-raises-concern-for-dems-latino-support
Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Nov 13, 23 @ 12:27 pm
The local catholic Charities doesn’t do anything that isn’t cleared with the local bishop. It’s one reason they stopped handling adoptions in Springfield, because the bishop wouldn’t let them set up adoptions by gay parents, so they stopped all adoption work.
Comment by Give Us Barabbas Monday, Nov 13, 23 @ 12:30 pm
IM-”This outcome is actually fine from an organizational point of view, because it allows for the conditions which create people to help, to be perpetuated and supply the believer with an endless supply of people to ‘help’, and satisfy the demands of their faith to do so.”
This could go for the government and its constant “study/pilot programs/subject to appropriation/sunset/through community partners/etc.” model as well.
Comment by Frida's boss Monday, Nov 13, 23 @ 12:38 pm
“put homeless residents into vacant properties, and also build the asylum-seeker camps in unincorporated areas, and include their own schools and other facilities.”
Separate but equal. Sounds good folks. /s
Comment by Me. Monday, Nov 13, 23 @ 12:40 pm
===This could go for the government and its constant “study/pilot programs/subject to appropriation/sunset/through community partners/etc.” model as well. ===
Yep
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Nov 13, 23 @ 12:41 pm
Tara Ford (to her ‘clients’): “You don’t have to go home…but you can’t stay here (exclamation point)”
Comment by Jocko Monday, Nov 13, 23 @ 12:42 pm
==Most of us who fly must show TSA a valid photo i.d.==
Not applicable if it’s a chartered flight.
Comment by jimbo Monday, Nov 13, 23 @ 12:43 pm
“This could go for the government”
Are there more religious, or non-religious people in government currently?
The mindset is the problem. It exists in many places.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Monday, Nov 13, 23 @ 12:44 pm
@LP
These people are here legally. A border wall isn’t going to help with them. What is it about legal status do some of you not understand when it comes to this group of people?
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Nov 13, 23 @ 12:51 pm
I bet that if the federal money dried up, the church would get sensitive real fast.
Comment by JS Mill Monday, Nov 13, 23 @ 1:02 pm
Catholic Charities of Chicago is backed by some of the wealthiest and powerful people in Chicago. They have to have the clout to stop this injustice.
Where is the Cardinal in all of this? Doesn’t he yield considerable influence as well? I am stumped why an arm of the Catholic church is able to wantonly send migrants to Chicago using federal dollars.
Comment by Anon 1:26 Monday, Nov 13, 23 @ 1:26 pm
==wantonly send migrants to Chicago using federal dollars==
And have the audacity to call this ‘care’.
Comment by Jocko Monday, Nov 13, 23 @ 1:35 pm
So which church organization do you abolish from receiving state funds?
Catholic Charities? Luthern Social Services? Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago?
Multiple religious institutions receive local, state, and federal funds. If you feel all that should go away you will need to expand all levels of government massively.
These organizations provide multiple levels of resources through their partnerships with the government. From housing to homeless services, ESL, food pantries, adoption services, mental health interventions, reentry programs, etc.
To just have a blanket statement saying separation of Church and State is ignorant of the actual partnerships of all religious institutions and their everyday involvement with government services.
Unless it’s only the Catholics you think shouldn’t be involved? Then say that outright.
Comment by Frida's boss Monday, Nov 13, 23 @ 1:37 pm
@ Clec Den
=== I do not think Pope Francis would approve of this craziness ===
Exactly. When I used the word “tangential” in my post above, this is what I was referencing - the Southwestern dioceses seem so removed from the Roman Catholic Church as it exists internationally, and much more parochial than universal.
Many of the leading voices down there are antithetical to Catholicism writ-large, and I am sure those powerful voices have influenced the direction of more parochial entities like Catholic Charities, Knights of Columbus, etc. If the regional leadership in the SW is not teaching consistently teach toward the church universal and to the gospels, we should not be surprised that Catholic Charities is being coopted by governors and parishioners who preach isolationism and segregation, rather than welcoming and fully embracing “the foreigners among us.”
I too am convinced Pope Francis would be ashamed of the lack of forethought and the resultant cruelties committed in this current context.
Comment by H-W Monday, Nov 13, 23 @ 2:36 pm
“I’ve gotten around that when I lost my ID. Just had to go through extra screening.”
Not surprising because you are such a charming guy. We have overcome the snag with a story about leaving it at pro shop as a security deposit on a golf cart, but how does it work for plane loads of people? Seems like a little more reportin’ is needed.
Comment by Annonin' Monday, Nov 13, 23 @ 3:08 pm
IM—”Bluntly, Religion will never solve any problems. At best it will perpetuate them and more often than not it will exacerbate them.”
So the goal is to end all government spending and partnerships with anything that has a remote scent of religious backing. Got it.
Please let me know how many new employees you will be hiring to fill the massive hole that no longer will be serviced by partner institutions.
Does this go for hospitals, senior homes, or hospice care that may be affiliated with a religious institution to take Medicaid and Medicare?
Comment by Frida's boss Monday, Nov 13, 23 @ 6:03 pm
=So the goal is to end all government spending and partnerships with anything that has a remote scent of religious backing. Got it.
=
Nobody said that. But if you’re advocating for government outsourcing of social services their has to be accountability particularly since I don’t get to vote for Catlholic Charities role or performance.
Comment by Pundent Monday, Nov 13, 23 @ 6:56 pm
Hats off to Chi Trib’s Laura Rodriguez Presa for her Sunday cover story on Venezuelan migrants returning home after trying to live in Chicago.
Tough story to read, the families have been through so much to get here, but thank you for sharing their words and experiences.
Comment by Good Reporting Monday, Nov 13, 23 @ 9:05 pm
Pundent- “But if you’re advocating for government outsourcing of social services there has to be accountability particularly since I don’t get to vote for Catholic Charities’ role or performance.”
Do you get to vote for non-secular organizations performing social services? All contractors have rules and metrics to account for in their spending. All secular and non-secular hospitals have metrics to prove their government spending. Are you saying the government can’t read reports?
So, since you only use Catholic Charities as your example just say you are against Catholics getting government funding but your’e good with everyone else.
Comment by Frida's boss Monday, Nov 13, 23 @ 11:40 pm