In a recent proclamation, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced that he intends to give city jobs and internships to so-called “DREAMers,” youngsters in the country illegally.
In the announcement, Emanuel proudly stated that “for the first time” Chicago is “opening up nearly 23,000 City-funded internship, volunteer, and job opportunities for undocumented students, or ‘DREAMers.'”
“DREAMers and DACA recipients are assets that we need to nurture and develop like precious natural resources for the benefit of the entire community,” Congressman Luis V. Gutiérrez (D-IL) says in the announcement. “They are an integral part of Chicago’s workforce of tomorrow. Once again, the City of Chicago and Mayor Rahm Emanuel are leading the way on the inclusion of our immigrant communities.”
The announcement goes on to lament the “barriers” that illegal alien teens find to gaining city jobs:
In December 2012, the Chicago New Americans Plan highlighted barriers that DREAMer students faced, including language barriers and information gaps about the opportunities available to them. These impediments have in the past served as an obstacle for these students and their families, in some cases preventing them from accessing critical enrichment programs.
It seems that one “barrier” was not taken notice of – that these students are not citizens and not legally eligible for such opportunities.
In the announcement, Emanuel also promised to “eliminate administrative barriers to employment and internship” for DREAMers and said that he is ordering city staffers to help these students file for “deferred action documentation.”
Mayor Emanuel also announced that he is also going to “train” city authorities in how to aid illegal alien applicants with paperwork and in how to get them government assistance.
The Mayor said, “The City will begin training its staff to ensure they are well equipped to help immigrant students receive accurate and helpful information about opportunities available to them.”
“We are conducting tailored training for City staff to provide Chicago’s DREAMers with opportunities to excel outside the classroom and obtain valuable professional experience in City government,” Department of Human Resources (DHR) Commissioner Soo Choi said in the announcement. “With this training, we can ensure that DHR and all City staff are well equipped to provide DREAMers with the information they need so they can continue contributing to this city.”
Follow Warner Todd Huston on Twitter @warnerthuston or email the author at igcolonel@hotmail.com.
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