Chicago Welcomes and Supports 52,000 New Arrivals and Responds to Unprecedented Enforcement
Municipality of Chicago
Mayor
Brandon Johnson
Start of Project
12/31/2025
End of Project
05/14/2027
Overview
The City of Chicago proudly reaffirms its commitment to being a Welcoming City—A city grounded in inclusion, equity, and justice. They pledge to ensure that all residents - regardless of immigration status - have meaningful access to City services, legal protections, and opportunities to learn, work, and thrive.
As part of this commitment, they will use the findings of the Welcoming America audit to strengthen our policies, improve our practices, and deepen our impact. They pledge to learn from the Welcoming America audit and embed a comprehensive immigrant inclusion strategy across all City departments. They pledge to continue building a people-centred government that reflects the dignity, strength, and diversity of our communities.
Together, the City will ensure that Chicago remains not only a welcoming city in principle, but in practice, where every person is seen, supported, and has a sense of belonging.
Expected Impact
This action will strengthen Chicago’s ability to operationalize its Welcoming City values across all departments and services. By applying the findings of the Welcoming America audit, the City will advance a more coordinated, accountable, and equity-driven approach to immigrant inclusion.
In the near term, the City expects improved alignment across agencies, with clearer standards, shared goals, and stronger interdepartmental coordination.
In the medium term, the City will develop and implement a comprehensive immigrant inclusion strategy that integrates policy, service delivery, and community engagement.
In the long term, this work will institutionalize immigrant inclusion as a core function of city government.
Ultimately, this action ensures that Chicago’s Welcoming City commitment is not only upheld in principle but consistently delivered in practice.
Priority Objectives
Protecting those most vulnerable
Providing access to urban infrastructure, social services, and education,
regardless of status