Many migrants fleeing chaos in Venezuela find themselves in similar turmoil in Chicago

Chicago: Kelvis Sanchez has been living in fear for so long that he barely flinches at the sounds of gunshots or screams anymore. It’s just part of life now.
One morning, he was in his kitchen with his little girl, Milagro, on his shoulder. They had extension cords running outside for power, and bare bulbs dangled above them. It was a makeshift setup.
“We left Venezuela to escape the violence, and now we’re right back in it,” he said. “We didn’t expect this when we came to the U.S.”
After migrants started arriving in Chicago in 2022, state programs helped them find housing. Many ended up in the South and West sides, where they faced violence similar to what they fled.
Sanchez worries for his kids. They can’t play outside because of the frequent shootings near their home in Washington Park. Other migrant families are in the same boat, cramming into small rooms and sharing meals. It’s tough.
“My daughters hide under the bed when they hear gunshots,” he shared, clearly distressed.
With President-elect Donald Trump promising mass deportations, Sanchez and others are anxious about what’s next. The thought of armed agents coming for them is terrifying.
“We’re starting right here in Chicago,” Trump’s border czar said recently, making it clear that migrants are in the crosshairs.
Over the past couple of years, migrants have faced a lot of anti-immigrant sentiment in the city. In September, a 911 call reported 32 migrants “trespassing” and “showing guns” in their courtyard, but police found no evidence of that.
Still, there was a homicide this year involving Venezuelans in the same area, raising fears that innocent families might be punished for the actions of a few.
In the Washington Park complex, mothers often gather, speaking in warm, familiar tones. Longtime residents have gotten used to the newcomers, but some question why migrants are getting state help when their own community has been neglected.
Kids play in a courtyard littered with dirt bikes, while many windows in the building are cracked or boarded up. Young men hang out, watching the street, trying to stay safe.
Crime rates have been high in the area, with police reporting numerous violent incidents. In 2024 alone, there were 97 crimes, including three homicides.
Sanchez and his wife, Yorgelis Rangel, fled their hometown in Venezuela due to threats from drug traffickers. They made the long journey to the U.S. with their three young kids, facing many dangers along the way.
They arrived in Chicago in March 2024 and qualified for rental assistance, but after a violent incident with another migrant, they found themselves searching for a new place to live.
In September, just as they were looking for housing, a 911 call claimed that migrants were causing trouble in their building. The call turned out to be false, but it spread panic, especially after a similar incident in Colorado involving armed migrants.
Despite the rumors, many residents in Washington Park dismissed the claims, saying they all lived together peacefully.
In early November, the Sanchez family found a new apartment in Washington Park, but just as they moved in, a shooting occurred on their floor. They were scared but had no choice but to stay.
After moving in, they faced more chaos. The building managers boarded up several units, including theirs, leaving them locked out. They managed to grab some essentials before it happened.
Now, they’re crammed into a neighbor’s apartment, trying to stay warm as winter sets in. The kids are sick, and they’re just trying to make it through each day.
On his birthday, Sanchez picked up his son from school, where he received gifts from his teacher. They returned to their cramped living situation, where they’re still waiting for a stable home.
Sanchez is worried about the future, especially with Trump’s plans for deportations. He hopes they won’t be targeted, but he understands the fear surrounding the situation.
“Those causing harm should be deported,” he said. “But I pray they don’t come for families like us.”