You mean Texas, let Texas deal with it.
You are going to have a hell of time finding anyone to say if they were told they would be bussed or not.
Not true at all.
I was on a conference call with an NGO out of Peoria that is working on the issue and every single asylum seeker they've taken in has been informed where they were going and for how long. Most of them have friends/families or some type of sponsor somewhere in the U.S. and the effort by those helping out is to get them as close as possible. So for example, many of those who are in Peoria have sponsors in Chicago and they will be in Peoria only temporarily as their paperwork is filled out and they are able to get a hearing.
The main features of Illinois Welcoming Centers:
- Welcoming Centers serve as one-stop human service centers that provide comprehensive and holistic case management and service coordination to immigrants and refugees in a linguistically, culturally sensitive manner.
- Welcoming Centers are familiar with benefits and services provided by state and federal agencies as well as social service agencies and connect individuals to appropriate services as needed through case management or referral.
- Welcoming Centers lead efforts to coordinate social services in their particular geographic location by creating Community Alliances. These Community Alliances consist of meetings with local service providers to address common challenges shared in the delivery of services to immigrants and refugee and to enhance service effectiveness and improve service coordination.
- Welcoming Centers host a variety of community education workshops to help immigrants and refugees learn about resources and information that can advance their successful integration and build the capacity of immigrant and refugee communities.
Family Support Network and Hotline
The Family Support Network (FSN) HOTLINE is to unify, build and coordinate a full range of support - legal, social services, ministry, law enforcement, and political action - for all families torn apart by our immigration system. The Hotline operates 24/7.
Call 1-855-435-7693 for assistance.
Visit the Family Support Network and Hotline website
PROGRAMS & SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS
Emergency & Transitional Housing Program
If you are in a vulnerable situation facing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, the Emergency and Transitional Housing Program can give immediate and comprehensive shelter services. For more information on
Emergency and Transitional Housing providers.
Child Care Assistance
We know how important it is for you to find quality childcare for your child. The Illinois Department of Human Services' (IDHS) Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency are working together to support families to get the information and resources they need to find and select the best childcare for their child.
Visit Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) website.
School & Education
If you are looking for resources on school enrollment and need assistance searching for the nearest Public School,
visit the Illinois State of Education website.
Food Connections
If you are searching for resources that can connect you to food pantries and soup kitchens in Illinois, please visit our website for a list of Illinois Food Banks and the area they serve.
Visit the Food Connections website.
HEALTHCARE
Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC)
If you would like to locate a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) has a
health center locator tool where you can search for a health center by address, state, or county.
FQHCs are in most cities and many rural areas. They will help you, even if you have no health insurance. You pay what you can afford, based on your income.
Visit Federally Qualified Health Center website.
Mental Health Support
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
988 is more than just an easy-to-remember number-it is a direct connection to compassionate, accessible care and support for anyone experiencing mental health-related distress, including family, friends, and/or caregivers.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, or is having thoughts of suicide, 988 provides a connection to free, 24/7 confidential support.
For 24-Hour Support for Deaf or hard of hearing American Sign Language users
The national Disaster Distress Helpline (DDH) is now offering direct crisis counseling and support for Deaf or hard of hearing American Sign Language users via a dedicated videophone option. Disaster survivors and responders can connect with trained DDH crisis workers fluent in ASL by dialing 1-800-985-5990 from a videophone-enabled device or via an "ASL Now" link which can be accessed at DisasterDistress.samhsa.gov.
Visit 988hotline.illinois.gov.
IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES
BEWARE OF FRAUDULENT IMMIGRATION PROVIDERS! Notaries Public are not attorneys. Generally, notaries, travel agents or insurance agents are not allowed to advise you on immigration matters or other legal matters.
Protections may be available for eligible Venezulans already present in the U.S. The
Department of Homeland Security announced the designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuela for 18 months. Individuals eligible for TPS under this designation must have continuously resided in the United States since March 8, 2021.
Illinois Access To Justice
The Illinois Access to Justice network provides high quality legal services in the neighborhoods where people live and work. Legal Services include representation in criminal, civil, administrative, and immigration matters.
Call 1-888-708-6-A2J to find a legal service provider in your area.
Visit Illinois Access to Justice website.
Employment Authorization
To legally work in the United States, asylum seekers need to apply for asylum. One hundred and fifty days after their application is accepted, they can apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
Protect Yourself from Immigration Scams
We do not want you to become the victim of an immigration scam. If you need legal advice on immigration matters, make sure the person helping you is authorized to give legal advice. Only an attorney or accredited representative working for a
Department of Justice recognized organization can give you legal advice. Visit the
Avoid Scams page for information and resources.