Sanctuary Working Group Update: February 14, 2025
The Sanctuary Working Group (of which Tzedek Chicago is a longtime member) is a collective of Chicago area faith communities that support and accompany vulnerable migrants in their journey toward sustainable independence. It is coordinated by the Wellington UCC. Tzedek members who would like to get involved should email Brian Carson (the author of this update) for more information.
"Welcoming" has become more difficult this month. Heartland Alliance Health Centers, which have always been the beacon for health services to Chicago's homeless and migrant communities, providing free family medicine, mental health, addiction management, dental care and a host of other services for completely unserved communities, have been forced to shut their doors. There are still "sliding scale" for-payment health centers but nothing like Heartland. Most of the families assisted by the Sanctuary Working Group (SWG) and our member organizations used Heartland medical services. Their services are already sorely missed.
The Chicago Kovler Center, which provides medical and psychological services to migrants and refugees who were victims of state-sponsored torture, had their funding abruptly canceled and was set to begin closing this week. Kovler is a key project of the Heartland Alliance and the only service of its kind in the country. According to reports, Kovler has received a reprieve with a court-ordered resumption of funding and have enough funds to remain open for the next three months.
World Relief, a SWG member and national Christian organization providing assistance and case management for refugee, migrant, and homeless communities is also in danger of closing as they have lost their federal grants and will have to start laying off staff. Here is a link to six petitions you can sign for World Relief advocacy.
There may be a little light on the horizon for these groups: Federal Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. has ruled that the Trump administration has defied his order to release billions of dollars in federal grants and ordered him to comply with "the plain text" of his edict. What happens next will be important to watch, and maybe some of the organizations having to close or lay off staff can recover. The Trump team will likely try to stall as long as possible, and if the courts cannot enforce this, it's bad news for all of us. So far Trump has not actually openly defied any court orders (other than delaying implementation), but his advisors are telling him to just ignore court decisions.
The Trump administration is working overtime to weaponize the Pentagon to detain and deport undocumented immigrants. It’s a misuse of billions of taxpayer dollars, an egregious abuse of national security resources, and it’s sure to have devastating consequences — for immigrants and service members alike. Sign this petition to tell Congress "NOT to Pay the Pentagon" to Detain and Deport Vulnerable Immigrants.
The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) Summit Meeting was this past Saturday, February 8, and about 400 people attended. A lot of local and national officials attended, and their words were inspiring—Rep. Delia Ramirez, Rep. Chuy Garcia, Mayor Brandon Johnson among them. SWG member and Episcopal Canon Sandra Castillo organized a workshop around what schools, hospitals and churches are doing to prepare for possible ICE raids.
SWG has a large number of ICIRR "Know Your Rights" cards in a number of languages. If you want to get some for an organization or classroom, contact Brian Carson. Incidentally, invoking the "Right to Remain Silent" and "Right to Counsel" can be done by having the detained person just point to those words on the KYR card. Good to know if you are afraid to speak or can't speak English.
For those who live on the North Side, there is a Protect Rogers Park Community Assembly on Saturday, Feb. 15 from 12:00 to 2:00 PM at the New Field School, 1707 W. Morse Ave.
The City of Chicago has issued a "Know Your Rights" resource guide.
The DePaul University Dept. of Peace, Justice, and Conflict Studies, will be hosting a screening of the film "Separated" on Thursday, Feb 20, 6:00 to 8:00 pm (moderated by Dr. Susana Martinez.)
Need support? Call our Family Support Hotline:
1-855-HELP-MY-FAMILY
1-855-435-7693 (English/Spanish/Korean/Polish)
Hotline Call Options:
• Immigrant Family Support Program (ICIRR’s Family Support Program)
• Report ICE activity/Support to locate someone in ICE custody
• Connect with an immigration attorney
• Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
• Healthcare resources for immigrant and refugees
• Public charge updates
• Workplace rights, issues or safety for immigrants
