American Islamic College to house asylum seekers

CHICAGO, Illinois- The American Islamic College campus in uptown, Chicago, is being converted into a temporary shelter for asylum seekers arriving in the city.

The campus, located on Irving Park Road, is expected to house about 500 to 600 asylum seekers when it opens on July 28.

The shelter will be operated by the Department of Family and Support Services with support from the Chicago Department of Public Health and the Chicago Police Department.

It will provide services such as caseworker support, on-site security, medical assistance, and three daily meals.

A spokesman for Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office said the college campus was chosen as a shelter because of its large capacity and relatively good condition.

The campus was formerly Immaculata High School and in recent years decided to sell the building, and the city last year agreed to a plan to turn the campus into high-rise apartments and senior-living facilities. American Islamic College said it is seeking a new campus in Chicago in the wake of the development but has not announced a new location.

However, plans have been put on hold as the campus will now be used as temporary housing for asylum seekers.

In light of recent allegations of sexual misconduct by police officers toward migrants, the city wants to move migrants out of police stations.

City officials, led by Councilwoman Angela Clay, are holding a town hall meeting to discuss the plan with residents and ask for support for the newly arriving asylum seekers.

This emergency migrant shelter is one of several options the city is considering to address the needs of asylum seekers from border states like Texas.