A growing number of migrants attempting to settle in Chicago are opting to abandon the ‘American Dream’ rather than face a miserable life on the unforgiving streets mired with danger.
The American Dream is Gone
“The American Dream doesn’t exist anymore,” lamented 39-year-old father Michael Castejon. “There’s nothing here for us.” Castejon cited the prolonged asylum process and the insufficient income from an off-the-books construction job as reasons for their departure. “How many more months of living on the streets will it take? It’s better that I leave. At least I have my mother back home.”
Jampacked Homeless Shelters
With Chicago’s homeless shelters at full capacity and 20,700 migrants continuing to arrive in the city since August 2022, the situation is increasingly dire.
Late last month, 3,000 migrants were living on the streets, prompting the city government to dispatch 16 buses overnight in an attempt to provide warmth and assistance.
Catholic Charities of Chicago has stepped in to aid the exodus, facilitating the relocation of over 2,000 migrants to other states where they have relatives or friends.
Disappointment, Failure, Hopelessness
Jose Nauh, 22, who initially traveled to Chicago in search of promised free shelter, food, and public benefits, discovered the harsh reality and promptly returned to Texas.
Even families, like Diana Vera’s, are seeking refuge elsewhere. Vera, along with her three children and daughter-in-law, boarded a bus to Detroit hoping that a resident cousin would provide support. “We heard that there are a lot of jobs over there even if you don’t have a permit,” Vera told the Tribune. It seems she was mistaken.
The Dream Collapses
As the city grapples with the challenges of migrant integration, the approaching winter intensifies the plight of those on the streets. The exodus raises critical questions about the promises and realities faced by those pursuing the elusive American Dream.
Cover Photo; Unsplash