Chicago would not exist without immigrants. For generations, the city has been a safe harbor for hundreds of thousands of people fleeing from poverty, bigotry and violence. Be they Poles fleeing from the tyranny of communism or Mexicans seeking economic opportunities — or African Americans escaping the unthinkable racial violence of the Jim Crow South — they all have found homes and built community in the city, even when it hasn’t always welcomed them. Their imprint on Chicago’s fabric is undeniable — what is a more authentic city experience than watching pickup cricket games in Warren Park or enjoying tacos from a Pilsen street corner?
There wouldn’t be a need to wax poetic about the Chicago immigrant experience if it weren’t for a situation that has likely consumed many Chicagoans’ thoughts over the past year: the plight of recent migrants to the city, who primarily are fleeing economic turmoil and political repression in Venezuela. There is nothing new about immigrants arriving in Chicago; this has been happening for decades. What is new about this recent group of arrivals is how poorly the American immigration system is treating them. Even attempting to decode the application processes for Venezuelan migrants will result in a headache, with countless inconsistencies and regulations that would stump all but the most acute legal scholars. Trying to rectify it via congressional action will go nowhere, so long as frothing bigots in the Republican Party have significant sway.
These irregularities have rendered thousands of willing and able workers unable to support themselves or their families, forcing them to rely upon an already-strained social safety net and the kindness of ordinary citizens. This is a travesty that is deeply inhumane and fundamentally un-American.
What can be done? The answer is relatively simple: Our Homeland Security Department should cut back on the excessive and confusing bureaucracy and expedite work authorizations. This would make it far easier for migrants to support themselves and their loved ones, thereby reducing the financial and humanitarian strain we currently are facing.
Chicago and Illinois are not alone in asking for this. Elected officials and business leaders in New York, Massachusetts and other states are joining the call to action.
President Joe Biden and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas should do the right thing. Let these new Americans work toward their American Dream.
— Thomas Vincent, Chicago
Mayor has lessons to take
I voted for Brandon Johnson. My second choice was never the leading contender.
The mayor has been in office three months, and I am neither impressed nor supportive of his term to date. His blasé response to the scores of young people seeking to create chaos downtown is completely irresponsible. I don’t care whether the group is white, Black, orange or blue; allowing such actions does nothing to attract tourists or make Chicagoans proud. As a lifelong city resident, I cherish our downtown for its culture and beauty. Large groups misbehaving just to create mayhem begets fear. Would this mayor have wanted to take his family downtown while this was occurring? I think not.
I am equally disappointed that the mayor chose to fire Dr. Allison Arwady. This fine professional brought us through the very worrying period of the COVID-19 pandemic. She was frank, forthcoming and informed. I trusted her. Johnson’s seeming revenge firing was rudely delivered. No “thank you”? COVID-19 was tough on everyone, particularly young people. Studies detail the deficit it wrought on education. Throughout, the Chicago Teachers Union did an awful lot of complaining. It often seemed the union preferred fighting then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Arwady than in moving forward.
Johnson should dig into situations deeper next time. He is leading the whole city. He might take a lesson on just that from Arwady.
— Monica Wiedlin-Torres, Chicago
Put children first in all ways
In response to “Illinois needs to put children first and give fathers equal rights” by Jeffery Leving (Aug. 15): An entire op-ed is devoted to the rights of unmarried fathers without a word on the responsibilities that come with rights.
Consider the many able-bodied men who have totally neglected the responsibility of providing child support for the children the have fathered.
Illinois needs to put children first in all ways.
— Joan Golick, Sterling, Illinois
Loss of awe-inspiring views
In response to the article “‘It’s like going deaf if you like music’: Chicago stargazers find more light pollution and wildfires are obscuring the skies” (Aug. 16): I am an avid amateur astronomer. Between light pollution, smoke from wildfires and potentially too many satellites, I fear we and our children may end up losing something humans took for granted for so long — awe-inspiring views of the cosmos in our backyards. And the light pollution that comes from being close to a large city not only wipes out views of the stars for those of us in the collar communities, but it also confuses millions of migratory birds annually and leads to their deaths. Do we really need that much light at night?
While the light is intended to help us see, we may end up seeing much less than we ever expected.
— Stephen L. Davidow, LaGrange Park
Bravo to music festival officials
Aug. 11 was a banner day for the wonderful Grant Park Music Festival of which I have been a fan for many years. Not only did the artistic director, the inspiring Carlos Kalmar, lead a great concert of Russian masterworks, but Tribune music critic Hannah Edgar announced in an Aug. 11 article that the Cleveland Institute of Music’s investigation of allegations of sexual harassment and gender discrimination against Kalmar had concluded that the allegations were without merit (“Grant Park Music Fest conductor Carlos Kalmar is cleared by Cleveland Institute of Music investigation”).
I salute festival President and CEO Paul Winberg and the festival organization for sticking by Kalmar, difficult for all concerned. The music festival could have gone the easy route of placing Kalmar on leave during this period. But it went ahead with the season as planned, with Kalmar at the helm. We need more of this kind of courage nowadays.
And what a season it has been! I have attended many of the concerts and can attest to the terrific music-making we fans have been privileged to hear, whether live at the Pritzker Pavilion or on WFMT-AM 98.7.
— Bill Hinchliff, Chicago
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