Aid workers accuse authorities of blocking access to migrants in Chicago

CHICAGO, Illinois – Volunteers have reported that stale food was distributed to migrants housed at various locations in Chicago.

They also said that their access to migrants has been restricted.

One volunteer, Sorsha Urquiza, told local media that she was not allowed to deliver donations to the shelters.

Recently, media representatives have also been restricted from accessing the shelters in the city.

Mary May, a spokeswoman for the Office of Emergency Management and Communications, said that only people with proper identification would be allowed into the shelters.

She said the restrictions are ostensibly to ensure security and protect the privacy of clients.

However, an immigration attorney Paula Roa said volunteers are blocked from interacting with the migrants.

She said migrants housed in the emergency shelter at Piotrowski Park in Little Village have reported inadequate food, medical care, and access to community resources.

The volunteers have raised the issue with Mayor Brandon Johnson.

They asked the mayor to intervene and ensure that the migrants receive three adequate meals a day.

In addition, they asked that she advocate for preventive medical care and provide more transparency regarding the operation of the shelters.

According to reports more than 10,500 men, women, and children have come to Chicago since August. About 4,500 people are housed in the city’s emergency shelters, and more than 600 are waiting in police stations for a space to open up in a shelter.