Documenting Experiences of Recently Arrived Migrants in Chicago: Push Factors, Current Needs, and Trust in Government

• In Event: International Migration Section Refereed Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): 02. Venezuelan immigrants and the migration process

Abstract

Since 2022, Chicago has received more than 30,000 new arrivals/asylum seekers through state-directed relocation efforts linked to Operation Lone Star. While this influx has strained the city’s shelter system and social services, Chicago’s commitment to welcoming immigrants regardless of legal status underscores the critical role of local institutional responses in supporting newcomers’ successful incorporation.

This study profiles newly arrived migrants in Chicago, examining pre-migration push factors, current material needs, and trust in city government. It aims to inform evidence-based policymaking by providing estimates that help the City of Chicago and community organizations develop more effective, responsive strategies to address immediate needs and support long-term integration.

The descriptive analysis draws on newly collected data from the 2025 New Arrivals/Asylum Seeker Survey Project, a face-to-face survey conducted in Spanish between April and June 2025 in Chicago and surrounding suburbs. Findings show that violent victimization and fear of crime were widespread prior to migration, with more than two-thirds reporting direct victimization. In Chicago, many migrants continue to face material hardship, including limited access to clean drinking water and reliable heating. While respondents expressed low trust in governments in their countries of origin, they reported comparatively higher trust in Chicago’s government.

Authors

• Keyla Navarrete, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

• Peter Rosenblatt, Loyola University-Chicago

• Maria Akchurin, Loyola University Chicago

• Anna E Bullock, Loyola University Chicago

• Connor W Wood, Loyola University Chicago

• Cristian Luis Paredes, Loyola University Chicago