>> GOOD EVENING .

A SPECIAL EDITION OF CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES .

I AM ALEX HERNANDEZ .

IN THE LAST YEAR , MORE THAN 14,000 MIGRANTS HAVE BEEN SENT TO CHICAGO FROM THE BORDER.

2600 ARE CURRENTLY IN CITY SHELTERS AND OVER 2000 AWAITING PLACEMENT, SLEEPING AT POLICE STATIONS AND AIR HAIR AIRPORT.

WE EXPLORE MIGRANTS EXPERIENCES AND NAVIGATING THEIR NEW HOME .

WE SPEAK WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE DOING TO HELP, AND LOCAL OFFICIALS ON WHAT MORE CAN BE DONE.

MORE COVERAGE RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE SUPPORT OF THESE DONORS.

>> THIS IS ONE YEAR SINCE THE FIRST BUSES OF ASYLUM-SEEKERS ARRIVED IN CHICAGO AND SINCE THEN WE HAVE BEEN COVERING THE RESPONSE TO HELP THE THOUSANDS OF MIGRANTS SEEKING SHELTER AND WE SHARED SOME STORIES WITH YOU.

YOU WILL HEAR MORE ABOUT WHAT THIS LAST YEAR HAS BEEN LIKE FOR THEM.

THE WORK OF A HOME COOKED MEAL.

SHE AND HER SISTER IN THEIR NEW HOME.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] >> Reporter: ALMOST ONE YEAR SINCE THEY ARRIVED TO CHICAGO , A JOURNEY FILLED WITH OBSTACLES.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] >> Reporter: SHE IS A LONG WAY FROM VENEZUELA WHERE SHE SAID SHE OPERATED A SEWING BUSINESS FOR MANY YEARS.

TURMOIL FIRST FORCED HER TO LEAVE .

>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] >> Reporter: SHE IS TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE LIKE THESE , PARISHIONERS WHO WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH A CHURCH ON THE NORTHWEST SIDE.

>> THROUGH GRACE AND PEACE CHURCH , WE PROVIDE THINGS LIKE THIS, CLOTHING, BEDDING AND FOOD.

>> Reporter: THE HOUSE MIGRANTS.

BUILDING A TEAM TO SUPPORT ASYLUM-SEEKERS.

>> SUCCESSFUL IN THAT THEY NEED TO MOVE INTO THEIR OWN APARTMENTS, GET JOBS , GET EXCITED.

>> Reporter: THEIR WORK DOES NOT STOP , AT THE 25th POLICE DISTRICT , SHE WELCOMES NEW ARRIVALS WITH MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AND BASIC NECESSITIES.

>> AT THIS DISTRICT , WE HAVE 58, AND EVERY DAY , WE EITHER GET A FAMILY IN OR AN INDIVIDUAL.

>> Reporter: SHE MADE IT TO CHICAGO A WEEK AGO WITH HER HUSBAND AND TWO-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER.

THEY TRAVELED TO THE PANAMANIAN JUNGLE, GUATEMALA , MEXICO.

MANY SLEEPING ON THE FLOOR IN POLICE DISTRICTS WAITING TO A SHELTER.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] >> Reporter: NAVIGATING THE TRANSITION FROM TEMPORARY STATUS TO U.S. RESIDENT CAN BE A LONG JOURNEY.

THEY SAY THEY HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL 2025 TO MAKE THEIR CASE AT IMMIGRATION COURT.

>> WHAT DOES THE CITY NEED TO DO?

>> FUNDING THE GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION, IF THEY SEE THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE, IT IS DONE.

>> BACK AT HER HOME , OBTAINING A WORK PERMIT IS CLOSER.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] >> Reporter: IN THE MEANTIME, SHE VOLUNTEERS AT GRACE AND PEACE CHURCH, HELPING OTHERS START A NEW BEGINNING IN CHICAGO.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] >> AS WE JUST HEARD , FROM THE MOMENT THE FIRST BUS OF MIGRANTS ARRIVED ONE YEAR AGO , THE ONGOING WORK OF SUPPORTING THEM HAS BEEN DONE BY VOLUNTEERS.

COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS HAVE SWUNG INTO ACTION AND PROVIDED FOOD, SHELTER , HEALTHCARE, AND LEGAL AID FOR THE NEW ARRIVALS WHILE COORDINATING WITH LOCAL OFFICIALS.

WE HAVE AN IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY AND LEGAL AID VOLUNTEER , A VOLUNTEER , AND A PASTOR FROM GRACE AND PEACE COMMUNITY CHURCH ON THE WEST SIDE, AND A MUTUAL AID MEMBER.

THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US.

YOU WERE CHIEF OF STAFF IN THE 20th DISTRICT STATE SENATOR'S OFFICE WHEN THE FIRST BUS ARRIVED.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THIS YEAR?

>> IT HAS BEEN A WHIRLWIND.

I REMEMBER THE INITIAL DAYS WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS STARTING TO COME TO OUR OFFICE.

SEEKING HELP, TRYING TO LOCATE WHERE THE SCHOOL WAS, UNDERSTANDING SYSTEMS.

THAT WAS THE EYE-OPENER ABOUT THE COMMUNITY OF CARE WHICH IS NEEDED AROUND OUR ASYLUM-SEEKERS .

TRYING TO GET BASIC RESOURCES THEY DESERVE.

THE ABILITY TO EAT , HAVE A PLACE TO CALL HOME , QUALITY HEALTHCARE , AND COMMUNICATION THAT MAKES THAT POSSIBLE.

>> PASTOR, YOUR CHURCH WAS ONE OF THE FIRST TO OPEN THEIR DOORS TO HELP HUNDREDS OF ASYLUM-SEEKERS.

TAKE ME THROUGH THAT .

LET ME KNOW WHAT HAS IT BEEN LIKE UNDER THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION TO WHAT IT HAS BEEN LIKE NOW?

>> WE ARE STILL IN TRAUMA.

PEOPLE COMING IN .

IT FEELS LIKE IT IS STILL TRIAGE.

ONE AFTER THE OTHER.

THERE IS NO TIME TO BREATHE.

I WOULD SAY IT IS DIFFICULT FOR ANY ADMINISTRATION TO DEAL WITH THIS, TRY TO FIND TIME TO FOCUS.

I THINK THAT WITH MAYOR LIGHTFOOT, WE WERE DEALING WITH BUSES, IT WAS A BAND-AID.

WITH MAYOR JOHNSON , HE IS TAKING IT A STEP FURTHER AND TRY TO HELP PEOPLE WITH HOUSING AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.

I'VE BEEN UNDER THE IMPRESSION WE ARE IN THE TRAUMA STAGE AND WE HAVE NOT MOVED THE NEEDLE MUCH.

>> TRIED TO BUILD A STRUCTURE ?

>> I BELIEVE SO.

FROM THE BOOTS ON THE GROUND, WE RECEIVED FOLKS AT THE END AND TRY TO ESTABLISH THEM.

ESTABLISH THEM IN SOME KIND OF WAY SO THEY CAN FOCUS ON THE FUTURE.

WE HAVE WORKED WITH THAT.

WE ARE GIVING THEM A FUTURE.

>> YOU ARE VOLUNTEERING AND ARE OFFERING LEGAL AID.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST ONGOING LEGAL NEED FOR ASYLUM-SEEKERS?

>> THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS LEGAL TRIAGE.

THEY NEED THE ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO DO BASIC THINGS IN THEIR LEGAL CASE AND UNDERSTAND THEIR LEGAL CASE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THEIR ASYLUM CASE.

>> I HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION .

WHEN I INTERVIEWED SOME OF THE ASYLUM-SEEKERS AT THE POLICE STATION , THEY HAD ANKLE MONITORS.

ARE YOU NOTICING THAT ?

>> THAT IS A PROGRAM , A PILOT PROGRAM COME FROM DHHS, FAMILY EXPEDITED REMOVAL, IT IS A SPECIAL TYPE OF MONITORING FOR FAMILIES IF THEY DO NOT COMPLY WITH MONITORING OR HAVE A NEGATIVE INTERVIEW , THEY WILL HAVE EXPEDITED REMOVAL.

>> WHAT IS IT LIKE WHEN YOU STARTED SEEING THAT ?

>> IT IS NEW, I STARTED TO SEE IT NOW , THE FIRST CASES IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS.

CHICAGO IS A TEST PILOT CITY FOR THAT.

I THINK IT HAS YET TO BE SEEN.

I HAVE NOT SEEN AN EXPEDITED REMOVAL HAPPENED JUST YET.

>> YOU HAVE BEEN VOLUNTEERING , WHAT IS IT BEEN LIKE FOR YOU?

>> I COME FROM A FAMILY OF IMMIGRANTS.

WHAT I SEE A LOT , STORIES MY PARENTS TOLD, WHEN THEY TOLD ME THEY CAME HERE AND HAD NOTHING OR NOBODY TO HELP THEM , I WANTED TO BE THAT PERSON WITH MUTUAL AID ORGANIZERS WERE WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK TO MAKE SURE THESE PEOPLE HAVE BASIC NEEDS.

I SEE MY PARENTS.

I WANT TO BE THOSE PEOPLE WE DIDN'T HAVE WHEN WE FIRST CAME HERE.

ALSO, JUST BECAUSE PEOPLE DESERVE TO HAVE ACCESS TO BASIC HOUSING, HEALTHCARE, FOOD , WE ARE TALKING ABOUT BASIC COMMUNITY.

>> WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SOMEBODY VOLUNTEERING?

>> THIS REQUIRES A HUGE COORDINATED EFFORT.

WONDERFUL LEADERS , THEY HAVE REALLY LED THE CHARGE.

ANYTHING HELPS.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO SOLVE THE WHOLE PROBLEM.

EVEN IF YOU VOLUNTEER ONCE A MONTH.

PROVIDE MEALS , THAT WOULD GO A LONG WAY.

>> THERE IS STILL A MASSIVE NEED?

>> ABSOLUTELY .

>> WHEN I GO TO YOUR CHURCH AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS , THERE ARE PILES AND PILES OF STUFF.

>> THE NEED IS THERE, CENTRAL FOOD, HOUSING, IF A GROUP CAN HANDLE THE ESSENTIAL NEEDS, OTHER GROUPS CAN DO LEGAL, OTHER GROUPS CAN DO OTHER ASPECTS OF THIS WORK, THE KEY IS WORKING TOGETHER.

THERE IS NO COMPETITION FOR THIS.

WE ARE IN THIS FOR THE RIGHT REASONS.

TO SERVE THAT PARTICULAR FAMILY, PICK UP ONE FAMILY.

JUST TAKE ONE.

WALK THEM THROUGH.

MY UNCLE HELPED MY FATHER .

THAT IS HOW WE GOT STARTED.

>> WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?

>>> IT MEANS FIGHTING FOR RESOURCES AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE RESPONDING TO WHAT'S NEEDED.

THAT IS WITH DIGNITY AND HUMANITY, THAT WE ARE ASKING, REQUESTING AND RECEIVING THE FEDERAL RESOURCES THAT ALLOW US TO RESPOND TO WHAT'S OCCURRING IN OUR CITY AT THE MOMENT.

THE WORKERS DICHOTOMY THAT OUR FAMILIES DESERVE.

THEY COME HERE WITH A VISION AND A DREAM.

THE SHELTER IS NOT IT .

THEY CAME HERE SEEKING AND AMERICAN DREAM THE WAY MY FAMILY AND SO MUCH OTHERS HAVE WHICH REQUIRES A CALLING BIGGER THAN THE RESPONSE HAPPENING NOW.

THE RESEARCH IS NOT YET COMING FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS, NOT YET BRINGING THEM TO THE CITY.

>> WHAT CAN HELP MIGRANTS WITH THE LEGAL AID?

>> I WILL PREFACE THIS ANSWER WITH I'M A CAREER NONPROFIT ATTORNEY.

I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF IMMIGRATION ATTORNEYS, AND MUCH MORE A SHORTAGE OF NONPROFIT IMMIGRATION ATTORNEYS.

FUNDING IS ALWAYS AN ISSUE, HOWEVER, THERE ARE LEGAL NEEDS THAT COULD BE MET THAT ARE SHORT AND QUICK TO DO, THAT REQUIRE INFORMATION TO PEOPLE AND THAT ALSO REQUIRE SMALLER THINGS TO BE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH TO SCALE UP AND GIVE THIS TO OTHER PEOPLE.

IT REQUIRES COLLABORATION FROM CITY PARTNERS AND COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO ACCOMPLISH THAT.

>> YOU HAVE BEEN DOING THE WORK FOR THIS YEAR AND WE ONLY HAVE TIME FROM ONE MORE QUESTION.

WE COULD TALK ABOUT THIS FOR HOURS.

PASTOR, WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE NOW ?

>> YOU WANT TO RELIEVE THE STRESS.

GIVE THEM OPPORTUNITY TO WORK.

I KAREN TU IF YOU ANNOUNCE THAT AND THEY COULD WORK, THE CITY WOULD RELIEVE THE STRESS OVER EVERYTHING ELSE WE HAVE .

GIVE US WORK PERMITS, AND WE WILL BE ALL RIGHT.

>> THANK YOU ALL.

>>> UP NEXT, LOCAL OFFICIALS RESPOND TO CALLS FOR MORE ACTION.

>>> AS THE MONEY AND RESOURCES GROWTH IN THERE IS CALLS FOR MORE COLLABORATION ACROSS VARIOUS LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE MIGRANTS.

THIS WEEK THE MAYOR WAS A HOST OF ILLINOIS POLITICIANS CALLING ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO FAST-TRACK THE WORK AUTHORIZATION FOR NONCITIZENS.

DOING THIS NOW FOR MORE ON THE ISSUE IS THE SENATOR CRUZ DISTRICT COVERAGE PARTS OF THE DISTRICT.

WE HAVE THE COUNCILMEN AND ALDERMEN.

CHAIRING THE CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE RIGHTS.

WE INVITED THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND THE CITY OF CHICAGO BUT THEY DECLINED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE.

WE THANK ALL OF YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.

>> THE FEDERAL LAW FROM THE 1990 STATE ASYLUM-SEEKERS HAVE TO WAIT A TOTAL OF 180 DAYS BEFORE RECEIVING WORK AUTHORIZATION.

HERE IS SENATOR DURBIN ON HIS PLEA TO PRESIDENT BIDEN TO FIX THIS IN THE PRESSING WORKFORCE SHORTAGE.

>> VIRTUALLY EVERY LINE OF WORK YOU THINK OF, WE NEED THESE PEOPLE AND WE NEED THEM NOW.

THESE PEOPLE ARE READY TO HELP AND WE SHOULD GIVE THEM THE CHANCE BY JOINING THE GOVERNOR, THE MAYOR AND OTHERS TO SAY TO PRESIDENT BIDEN, WAS THE AUTHORITY AND WE WILL FIND JOBS.

WE WILL NOT TAKE JOBS AWAY FROM AMERICANS THE CREED OF BARRETT OR -- BETTER AMERICA FOR THE FUTURE.

>> IT TAKES US TO YOU, ALDERMEN.

DO WE KNOW IF ANY MORE THAN 13,000 ASYLUM-SEEKERS EVEN RECEIVED ONE WORK PERMIT IN THE PAST YEAR?

>> I AM CONFIDENT THAT SOME HAVE.

AS FAR AS OUT LARGE OR SMALL THE NUMBER, IT'S UNDETERMINED .

THAT IS WHY THE PUSH IS WHAT IT IS TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A BLANKET PERMITTED WORK AUTHORIZATION WHETHER TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS OR OTHER MEANS .

AS OF RIGHT NOW WE CANNOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE IN THE WAY IT NEEDS TO BE.

>> IS THE WAIT TYPICALLY LONGER THAN 180 DAYS?

>> YES.

WE HAVE SEEN ANYTHING , ABOUT CLOSE TO YEAR.

IT HAS NOT BEEN ANY MOVEMENT.

THERE IS A FINITE AMOUNT OF PERMITS THAT ARE ISSUED WHICH IS PROVING TO BE CHALLENGING AS WELL .

>> SENATOR, IF GRANTED THE STATE WOULD BE THE ONES ACTUALLY SPONSORING ASYLUM-SEEKERS FOR EMPLOYMENT AND WHAT IS ILLINOIS HEARING FROM THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ?

>> IT'S BEEN AN ONGOING CONVERSATION AND THERE IS NOTHING CONCRETE BUT REALITY IS WE HAVE A CONGRESS KIND OF IN A DEADLOCK ON 1 MILLION TO 1 DIFFERENT ISSUES, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO IMMIGRATION.

THAT IS WHY WE HAVE NOT REALLY SEEN ANY MOVEMENT ON IMMIGRATION RELATED ISSUES SO RIGHT NOW IT IS COSTING CONVERSATION WE ARE HAVING ALSO URGING ON OUR BEHALF TO SAY WE NEED ACTION ON THIS.

WE NEED TO SEE SOMETHING OR OTHERWISE WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE CONTINUOUSLY GOING TO BE IN THE SAME CYCLE WITH NO ANSWERS.

>> THEY WOULD JUST BE KICKING THE CAN, IN A WAY.

>> IT'S BEEN A BACK AND FORTH CONVERSATION BUT NO DEFINITIVE RESOLUTION ON IF WORK PERMITS WILL COME AND IF THERE WILL BE TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS.

I THINK THE WHITE HOUSE IS DOING WHAT THEY CAN BUT THE REALITY IS WITHOUT A CONGRESS COMMITTED TO DOING SOMETHING, WE ARE ALL STUCK IN LIMBO.

>> YOU SEE THIS HAPPENING WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR?

>> HONESTLY, I DON'T THINK WE WILL SEE MAJOR MOVEMENT WITHOUT ACTION IN CONGRESS.

WE HAVE ELECTIONS COMING UP AND OBVIOUSLY THOSE PLAY A MAJOR ROLE ON WHAT'S GOING ON, AND HOW PROBLEMS AND ISSUES ARE DEALT WITH.

THE REALITY IS THAT WE DON'T KNOW AT THIS POINT, ANY TIME FRAME FOR WHEN ANY RESOLUTION IS GOING TO COME.

>> DO YOU SEE THIS FASTER WORK PERMIT BEING A SOLUTION TO THE WORKFORCE SHORTAGE?

>> ABSOLUTELY .

IT'S DEFINITELY AN ASPECT BUT NOT A SILVER BULLET.

WE HAVE SHORTAGES IN MANY SECTORS OF OUR ECONOMY.

IT WOULD BE A GREAT BENEFIT IF WE HAVE AN INCREASE IN OUR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BY OFFERING OUR ASYLUM-SEEKERS WORK PERMITS, ABSOLUTELY.

>> COULD YOU SEE THE STATE AUTHORIZING WORK STATUS AS A GOOD SOLUTION FOR THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS WE ARE SEEING ?

>> ABSOLUTELY, OF COURSE.

WE HAVE TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY TO FAMILIES IN NEED AND OUR ECONOMY NEEDS IT.

WE HAVE ACUTE SHORTAGE OF WORKERS IN THE ECONOMY SINCE THE PANDEMIC KIT.

THE PEOPLE COMING HERE ARE VERY SKILLED WORKERS, EDUCATED .

THEY KNOW HOW TO WORK IN DIFFERENT SECTORS OF OUR ECONOMY.

THIS IS A HUGE NEED IT WOULD BE A GREAT BENEFIT TO OUR LOCAL ECONOMY.

>> AS WE KNOW AND HAVE ALL SEEN ACTUALLY, WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF PUSHBACK ON DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES WHEN WE TALK ABOUT SHELTERS FOR THE NEWLY ARRIVED MIGRANTS INTO THE CITY.

ALDERMEN, HOW DO YOU HANDLE THE ARGUMENT THAT THE CITY NEEDS TO CAREFIRST FOR ITS RESIDENTS, ITS CITIZENS BEFORE TAKING CARE OF THE NEWEST ARRIVALS?

>> PART OF THE SITUATION AND UNDERSTAND WHAT'S LIKE TO BE IN A COMMUNITY WE HAVE NOT HAD THAT INVESTMENT AND THAT ALL OF A SUDDEN GOVERNMENT SAYS TO ESTABLISH SHELTER AND WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE WHY THAT SENTIMENT IS BEING VOICED.

SOME COULD SAY PRIORITIZATION AND THE CHALLENGE.

WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF ALL AND CREATE A SYSTEM TO DEAL WITH NOT ONLY NEW ARRIVALS BUT ALSO WITH THE EXISTING POPULATION.

THAT IS WHY WORK AUTHORIZATION IS IMPORTANT.

WHERE I WOULD DIFFER A LITTLE, I THINK THAT IS IN THE WHITE HOUSE TO CHANGE IT.

CONGRESS WILL NOT MOVED.

IT'S ABOUT A PRESIDENT THROUGH EXECUTIVE ORDER MAKING THE NECESSARY CHANGES.

IF WE DON'T HAVE WORK AUTHORIZATIONS NOW, WE WILL SEE MORE AND MORE BUSES AND NEW ARRIVALS SCALING UP EXPONENTIALLY.

THAT'S THE CLOSER YOU GET TO THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION AND THEY WILL LABEL CHICAGO A DISASTER, THE PARTY A DISASTER, AND THE PRESIDENT A DISASTER.

WE NEED AUTHORIZATION TO MOVE QUICKLY TO BRING REAL SOLUTIONS TO WHAT WE SEE RIGHT NOW .

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT SHELTER.

HOW DOES THE CITY PRIORITIZE WHICH OF MIGRANTS ARE MOVED TO TEMPORARY SHELTERS AND WHO STAYS AT THE POLICE STATIONS, AT THE AIRPORTS?

>> IT IS LESS ABOUT PRIORITIZING BUT TAKING IT AS IT COMES.

WE SEE 80 TO 100 PEOPLE COMING IN PER DAY, AND HAVE ABOUT 1600 AT THE POLICE STATION.

IT'S REALLY ABOUT BUILDING UP THE SYSTEM OF SHELTERS THE TAKE ON THE CAPACITY THEY ARE TRYING TO PRIORITIZE FAMILIES FIRST IF THEY CAN.

THERE'S NOT ENOUGH CAPACITY RIGHT NOW.

THAT IS WHY WE NEED THE WORK AUTHORIZATION AND WE ARE TRYING TO COUGH UP MORE SHELTERS BUT I FEAR IT IS NOT ENOUGH AND WILL NOT BE ENOUGH.

>> WE ARE RUNNING SHORT ON TIME, BUT I DON'T WANT TO LET YOU GO HOPEFULLY BEFORE WE GET AN ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION.

I WANT TO HEAR FROM ALL OF YOU, ACTUALLY, ABOUT WHAT OPPORTUNITY YOU SEE WITH THE STATE, THE CITY AND THE COUNTY ACTUALLY THAT COULD COLLABORATE BETTER ON THIS ISSUE?

>> THERE IS A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS OBVIOUSLY.

THE CITY ADMINISTRATION CHANGE THAT IMPACTED THE CONVERSATION THAT WAS EXISTING.

WE ARE CELEBRATING OUR ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE BUSES ARRIVING FROM TEXAS.

REALITY IS THIS IS A PROBLEM BEING EXACERBATED BECAUSE OF THE GOVERNOR OF TEXAS THAT IS SHIPPING INHUMANELY PEOPLE TO THE CITY OF CHICAGO, AND OTHER DEMOCRATIC CITIES, TO BASICALLY TRY TO USE THEM AS SCAPEGOATS AS PART OF A LARGER CONVERSATION THAT NEEDS TO BE HAPPENING NATIONALLY.

THE REALITY IS THAT MORE AND CONTINUE CONVERSATIONS THAT ALREADY ARE EXISTING AND OBVIOUSLY BINDING MORE LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS.

>> THE PEOPLE SHOULD BE VERY PROUD OF THE WAYS IN WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN COLLABORATING WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO AND THE CITY OF ILLINOIS.

WE HAVE ASSISTED OVER 11,000 PATIENTS AND DIVIDING OVER 50,000 VISITS, PRESCRIBED OVER 22,000 PRESCRIPTIONS TO PEOPLE IN NEED.

COOK COUNTY HEALTH IS THE LEAD MEDICAL PROVIDER FOR US ITEMS CITY SEEKERS AND WE ARE WORKING WITH OUR PARTNERS TO CONTINUE THOSE EFFORTS.

>> THANK YOU ALL.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>> BACK TO YOU, JOANNA .

>>> VOLUNTEERS HELPING MIGRANTS OUTSIDE OF POLICE STATIONS SAY RAISING FUNDS IS ESSENTIAL TO THE WORK.

ONE GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS, THE POLICE STATION RESPONSE TEAM, PARTNERING UP WITH MIGRANTS TO DESIGN A LOGO ON THE MERCHANDISE BEING SOLD TO RAISE MONEY FOR FOOD, CLOTHING AND MEDICINE.

THE LOGO FOR THE FUNDRAISER IS THE IMAGE OF THE CHICAGO FLAG WITH A TWIST.

>> Reporter: THE WORDS USING TO DESCRIBE CHICAGO.

HE CURRENTLY LIVES AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, ONE OF THE 15 SHELTERS BEING USED TO HOUSE MIGRANTS.

HE USES A BUTTERFLY IN HIS CHICAGO FLAG LOGO TO DESCRIBE THE MIGRANT'S JOURNEY AND GROWTH.

>> Reporter: DESIGNIT WITH THE HEART OF GRATITUDE AND WAS STANDING OUTSIDE OF THE 12th DISTRICT POLICE STATION.

>> [SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE] >> Reporter: IT WAS A GRAPHIC DESIGNER IN VENEZUELA FOR OVER 20 YEARS.

WHEN THE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC HARDSHIP HIT THE COUNTRY IN 2016, HE SAYS HE GOT HARDER TO FIND A JOB.

HE SAYS CHICAGO BECAME A PLACE OF REFUGE, [SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE]A PLACE OF CARE.

>> >> Reporter: AS HE AWAITS ASYLUM, DESIGNING MERCHANDISE TO RAISE FUNDS AS GIVEN HIM A SENSE OF PURPOSE.

>> [SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE] >> Reporter: HE SAID THAT HE HOPES TO GET ON HIS FEET WITHIN THE NEXT THREE MONTHS AND START HIS OWN GRAPHIC DESIGN COMPANY.

FIND A LINK TO THE VOLUNTEERS MERCHANDISE WITH THE LOGO ON A WEBSITE.

BACK TO YOU, ALEX, TO WRAP THINGS UP.

>>> THAT WILL BE OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

BE SURE TO CHECK OUR WEBSITE AT WTTW.COM/NEWS.

TUNE IN TO WTTW AND WE WILL BE WAITING FOR YOU.

FROM ALL OF US HERE AT CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES , HAVE A GOOD ONE.