This past April, Centro Romero’s Executive Director and Associate Director, along with The Resurrection Project, joined Mayor Brandon Johnson and Deputy Mayor Beatriz Ponce De Leon in a press conference to endorse the “Here to Work” and “Work Permits 4 All” campaign. This initiative, organized by allied immigrant rights organizations across the country, seeks to promote the labor integration of immigrant communities that have been living in the United States for decades and contributing to a better nation. Check out coverage of the event here: https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2024/04/04/chicago-mayor-brandon-johnson-joe-biden-work-permits-immigrants-asylum-seekers

Additionally, Centro Romero’s Executive Director and Associate Director, joined community partner Alderperson Andre Vasquez, 40th Ward Chicago, at a press conference focused on the city’s controversial 60 Day Shelter Eviction Policy. The purpose of the press conference was to look for alternatives on how to postpone the contract of housing new migrants in the shelters of the city of Chicago. The reality of the situation is that the implementation of the 60-day eviction policy will result in newly arrived individuals feeling adrift and requiring additional assistance. Consequently, community based organizations, mutual aid groups, and ward offices, which are already operating at full capacity, will face additional caseload with insufficient resources to respond according to the needs of the community.

Finally, in April a multi-generational delegation from Centro Romero, alongside our community partners at ICIRR, traveled to the state capitol in Springfield, IL. We met with policy makers, updating them on the status of the community-based work that we do with the Chicago immigrant and refugee community, and petitioned for continuing support for our vital mission.