South Cook News

Residents of Woodlawn gathered to protest the planned housing of illegal immigrants in the old Wadsworth Elementary School. 

“I'm here because I am a child of Woodlawn. I was born and raised in Woodlawn, and I'm speaking on behalf of the people that are here and the ones that's not here,” a Woodlawn resident who did not identify herself said in a video posted on Twitter.

“The ones that's at work and couldn't make it here. We are very disappointed in this decision that Mayor Lightfoot has made to place these migrants in our community without our permission.” 

“Mayor Lightfoot would never pull this type of thing in anyone's neighborhood. She would not drop off a busload of Haitians in Little Village. She would not drop off a busload of Black people in Chinatown. She would not drop off a busload of Black people up north. So it's time for Mayor Lightfoot to understand we will no longer be disrespected by you, ma'am. Please withdraw your decision to put the migrants in our community. There's plenty of room in Little Village for their people. Please, speak to Little Village and take them over there. We're not hating on anyone, but we are loving on what line? As well we already are struggling with the issue of fentanyl now in our communities. We don't need anything else to add to the struggles that we already have. There is a lack of resources in our community. We don't need anyone else to come in and suck those up. We're tired, Miss Lightfoot. We're tired and we will not be voting for you.”

The video was taken as Woodlawn residents gathered to protest Lightfoot busing illegal immigrants out of Chicago to the suburbs.

The Wadsworth Elementary School site was targeted to be refurbished to hold some of the some 4,000 illegal immigrants Texas has bused to the city. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott began busing illegal immigrants to “sanctuary cities” such as Chicago after President Joe Biden's administration opened the nation’s southern borders. 

The city is trying to find homes for some 1,500 illegal immigrants. 

After the upset, 20th Ward Alderman Jeanette Taylor said the city was pausing work on the school. 

“We are unnecessarily causing tension and friction between African-Americans and Latinos,” Alderman Ray Lopez told the Chicago Tribune. “It was painful to watch … to see the amount of pain caused to Woodlawn and the amount of ignorance that it’s creating … Democratic cities are absolutely helping prove the point that many of the big cities that say they are welcoming are welcoming in name only, as long as no one shows up.”

The school is located at 6420 S. University Ave. in Woodlawn. Its intended use has been described as a “shelter.” The city of Chicago has refused to note the updates made to the building, according to Fox 32.

The site was to be used for 250 illegal immigrants. 

"Former schools like Wadsworth work well for this operation because the ample space provides flexibility," a city spokesperson said, according to the Highland Park Herald. 

"Our experience with the former Young Women’s Leadership Academy (2641 S. Calumet Ave.) has shown that classroom settings allow for the capacity to shelter individuals and families in separate locations, rather than congregate settings. Additionally, the cafeteria provides ideal communal space.”