When a light from a Facetime call with his wife and two sons in Venezuela ends, Santiago Indriago cries standing in the November air near Chicago’s 25th police district.

Indriago grew cold not only from the distance between him and his family, but also because he was standing amid just less than an inch of snow and in 28-degree temperatures.

Venezuela is located near the Equator, where the sun’s rays hit the Earth at a nearly direct angle, which results in warm winters. For many of the migrants who have come to Chicago this year, it’s the first winter ever in their lives.

Indriago, like many other migrants from Central and South America, came to the U.S. for a better life. So far, they’ve been greeted with the kindness of volunteers, promises from the city and criticism from those who don’t want them here.

“We’re here out of necessity not because we want to,” Indriago said. “We don’t want to come here and cause damage, we want to work and provide for our family.”

The Austin Weekly News spent Sunday afternoon with migrants and asylum-seekers as temperatures dropped into the 20s. Officials and volunteers have feared what would happen when Chicago’s cold arrived.

Many claimed that for a week the station had the bathroom closed and opened it only three days ago. During that week people had to use portable potties outside, which were dirty. 

A couple of donated bikes were parked in front of the station, but since the winter came, migrants have not even use them to get around, in part because they lack the proper clothes to travel in the cold.

But it appeared that one of the biggest problems that plagued them is a lack of information and misinformation. Indriago, for example, said that he was told they are being moved to shelters before Dec. 1 and have to get a work permit in 60 days or else face deportation. Many other people we spoke to did not know anything about the shelter and were frightened that they were being kicked out onto the streets. 

One of the migrants, who gave only his first name, Luis, said that thanks to the kindness of people, he has some warm clothes for his first winter. He also said that around five or six kids stay there in tents outside.

Luis and other people sitting around him in the small, cramped room said they don’t know where they are going to or when they are supposed to receive this information. 

Luis said he believed he was going out to the streets, saying he is angry and frustrated. He said he doesn’t know who they will reach out on their own, and police keep saying they have nothing to do with it, he added.

“Why aren’t they helping us to find a place?” Luis said.

Celine Woznica, a member of police station response team for the 15th police district, addressed the misinformation.

“People are desperate, they come from desperate situations and they fear being thrown out onto the street, but no, they will be placed into a shelter. Where the shelter will be, I don’t know,” she said.

Although the move has already started citywide and near Oak Park, Woznica said that all the migrants from 15th police district were moved to shelters. The last group of migrants arrived at the station this week and have been placed into shelters, as well. Woznica said she understands the frustration because the deadline to move migrants into shelters has been set before and missed.

Woznica said she became involved with the migrant issue in May and organized a place where migrants could take a shower. But with the arrival of winter, the needs shifted. She said that although 250 people arrived this Thanksgiving Eve, only 25 took a shower and the rest needed warm clothes and shoes. 

As for work permits, Woznica said that there is no 60-day time limit on a work permit, however those who arrived before August of this year are eligible to apply for Temporary Protected Status, a status provided to nationals of certain countries experiencing problems that make it difficult or unsafe for their nationals to be deported there.

Those who arrived after can apply for asylum and 150 days later can start an application for the work permit. 

For those who are seeking legal help with documents, Community of Congregations in Oak Park, an interfaith organization, has free legal and other assistance for the migrants. Learn more at: https://www.communityofcongregations.org/migrant-response/