Emanuel, Gutierrez push message to Puerto Ricans: Come to Chicago
Water is distributed in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Chicago is expecting and is ready to welcome a "huge" influx of migration from hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico, with 1,600 people already here and lots more on the way, Mayor Rahm Emanuel said today.
At a City Hall press conference that was supposed to focus on Chicago aid to the Caribbean Island in the wake of Hurricane Maria, Emanuel and U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Chicago, who is of Puerto Rican descent, suggested that the Windy City could end up playing the same role Houston did for New Orleans after it was devastated by Hurricane Katrina: a new home.
The expected influx is "another case of climate change resettlement," Emanuel declared, indicating he'd already spoken with everyone from Cardinal Blase Cupich to Chicago-based United Airlines about coordinating resources. "We as a city have to be ready."
The roughly 1,600 people who already have arrived here came "without any organization," Emanuel said. "There's not going to be a school or a church or a hospital or a social service agency we're not going to turn to. . . .If you're going to be a sanctuary city," you've got to offer sanctuary.
Emanuel said it's too early to give any numbers, but Gutierrez, who just returned from a trip during which he saw "unbelievable" destruction, said he expects it to be "huge," with "hundreds of thousands" of people permanently leaving the island in search of a new home and a stable life. "Certainly thousands" can and should come here as they learn of the welcoming city and large Latino community here, he said.
"We know there are hundreds of families here who are desperate to get their families here," said Gutierrez, estimating that more than 100,000 Puerto Ricans live in the area now. "Our goal is to make Chicago to Puerto Rico what Houston was to New Orleans."
Luis Gutierrez and Rahm Emanuel at this morning's press conference
"I want to put Emanuel on the radio in Puerto Rico" inviting people to move here, he said. The federal government will pick up transportation costs for the refugees, who are American citizens.
Gutierrez noted he returned home not only with a firsthand account of woes but two nephews and a niece in tow. "They just enrolled in Chicago Public Schools."
The city's lure for Puerto Ricans has dipped as, with fewer factory jobs here, people leaving that territory have gone to cities with warmer climates. But Chicago has "strong Latino neighborhoods here where people will be welcome," he added. "We're doing our part. We're not waiting for the government to do it or us," he continued, taking a shot at recent comments by President Donald Trump.
Gov. Bruce Rauner also is underlining what the state is doing to aid relief to storm-ravaged Puerto Rico, announcing that up to 550 Illinois National Guard members are on alert and ready to deploy.
"Our fellow Americans need us," said Rauner. "I am ready to send our guardsmen on a mission to make sure the people of Puerto Rico are safe and healthy as they find a way to rebuild after such a tragic blow. We are one people, united by our love for this country and our willingness to help each other in times of need."
At the press conference, Emanuel announced that later this week 23 members of the Chicago Fire Department, including firefighters, paramedics and engineers, will fly to Puerto Rico with health and communications equipment. The list includes flashlights, defibrillators, stretchers and oxygen equipment.
Emanuel also said the city may take another look at security precautions in the wake of the Las Vegas mass shooting, but already has upgraded its efforts after earlier incidents in Boston and other cities.
"The city is prepared and has done its work," he said. "We've upped our game dramatically."