Chicago City Council Latino Caucus Urges the Federal Government to Send Imperative Funding for Migrant Mental Health Resources
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 23, 2022
CHICAGO, IL - On December 2, Rona Matahary Rozo, a 30-year-old migrant from Venezuela, was found dead in a suburban Chicago hotel room she had been housed in since arriving four months ago. Despite her strength to seek a better future in this country, she had been experiencing mental health issues. Similarly, in New York, two migrants also died by suicide in city shelters since September.
Nearly 4,000 migrants, mostly from Venezuela, have been bused to Chicago since August as part of Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s political stunt to protest federal immigration policies. Most migrants endure unthinkable hardships such as sexual abuse, robbery, and hunger during their journey to America. They should be given the highest quality resources available when arriving in any city across the U.S. to serve their physical and mental health needs.
The Chicago City Council Latino Caucus proudly stands behind Chicago’s welcoming city ordinance and will work to ensure all migrants have the adequate resources to adjust to their new environment, including mental health support. That is why we urge the Federal government to send imperative funding so cities across the country can properly help asylum-seekers.
The City of Chicago and the United States were founded by immigrants, who have traveled from around the world seeking a better life. Not only our city, but our nation, should uphold basic values of family, fairness, and freedom. Immigrants are intrinsically woven into the fabric of this city and we are proud of our history of providing a safe haven for them. Families sent to Chicago will have a chance to provide what any individual would want for their family: peace, shelter and safety.
The Chicago City Council Latino Caucus was created to fight for the well-being and betterment of all Latino residents of Chicago. The Caucus includes 13 members from across the city. They represent wards as diverse as Chicago itself. In addition to Chairman Gilbert Villegas (36) and Ald. Rossana Rodriguez (33), the Caucus membership includes: Ald. Daniel LaSpata (1), Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza (10), Ald. George Cardenas (12), Ald. Michael Rodriguez (22), Ald. Silvana Tabares (23), Ald. Bryon Sigcho-Lopez (25), Ald. Robert Maldonado (26), Ald. Ariel Reboyras (30), Ald. Felix Cardona (31), Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35), and Ald. Andre Vasquez (40). Chicago’s Clerk Anna Valencia is an ex-officio member of the Latino Caucus.
