REAL TALK

NEWS POLITICS

Harsh Winters and Unwelcoming Atmosphere Drive Migrants Back to Venezuela: The Reality of Chicago’s Sanctuary City Challenge

ByAlki David

Nov 13, 2023

In the midst of Chicago’s biting winters, a surprising phenomenon has emerged as thousands of migrants find the city so inhospitable that they’re choosing to return to Venezuela, seeking refuge from the harsh conditions and an unsupportive environment.

Since August of last year, a staggering 20,700 migrants have made their way to Chicago from Texas. The migration was part of a strategic move by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, redirecting individuals to Democrat-run cities, known as ‘sanctuary cities.’ These cities boast a reputation for offering increased protection to undocumented migrants, shielding them from the looming threats of detention or deportation.

However, the harsh reality on the ground paints a different picture. Illinois, particularly Chicago, has proven to be an arduous destination for asylum seekers. The state’s unforgiving winters, coupled with a lack of necessary infrastructure for migrants, has led many to make the difficult decision to return home.

One such story is that of Michael Castejon, a 39-year-old Venezuelan, who, along with his family, has been forced to sleep on the floors of police stations and shelters. The challenging conditions and a general ambivalence from locals have left these families in dire straits, prompting a reversal of their journey.

While the intention behind sending migrants to sanctuary cities was to provide a safer haven, the ground reality in Chicago reveals a different narrative. The lack of adequate support systems has created an environment that is anything but welcoming, forcing migrants to reassess their decision to seek refuge in the city.

This raises important questions about the effectiveness of sanctuary city policies and the need for a comprehensive approach to support migrants beyond just redirecting them to new locations. The complexities involved in ensuring a smooth integration process for asylum seekers cannot be underestimated, and the current situation in Chicago serves as a stark reminder of the challenges these individuals face.

In conclusion, the story of migrants returning to Venezuela highlights the critical need for a more holistic approach to immigration policies. It goes beyond just designating cities as sanctuaries; it involves creating an environment that is genuinely supportive, ensuring that migrants can build new lives without compromising their safety and well-being.

By Alki David

Alki David — Publisher, Media Architect, SIN Network Creator - live, direct-to-public communication, media infrastructure, accountability journalism, and independent distribution. Born in Lagos, Nigeria; educated in the United Kingdom and Switzerland; attended the Royal College of Art. Early internet broadcaster — participated in real-time public coverage during the 1997 Mars landing era using experimental online transmission from Beverly Hills. Founder of FilmOn, one of the earliest global internet television networks offering live and on-demand broadcasting outside legacy gatekeepers. Publisher of SHOCKYA — reporting since 2010 on systemic corruption inside the entertainment business and its expansion into law, finance, and regulation. Creator of the SIN Network (ShockYA Integrated Network), a federated media and civic-information infrastructure spanning investigative journalism, live TV, documentary, and court-record reporting. Lived and worked for over 40 years inside global media hubs including Malibu, Beverly Hills, London, Hong Kong and Gstaad. Early encounter with Julian Assange during the first Hologram USA operations proved a formative turning point — exposing the realities of lawfare, information suppression, and concentrated media power. Principal complainant and driving force behind what court filings describe as the largest consolidated media–legal accountability action on record, now before the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. Relocated to Antigua & Barbuda and entered sustained legal, civic, and informational confrontation over media power, safeguarding, and accountability at Commonwealth scale.