The Great Chicago Newcomer Influx of 2023: They Came, They Saw, They Ate All the Deep Dish
Ah, Chicago. City of wind, stunning architecture, and apparently, the hottest new destination for migrants in 2023. Buckle up, folks, because this ain't your grandpappy's immigration story. This was a full-on, buses-rolling-in-every-other-day kind of situation.
So, How Many New Faces Did Chi-Town Welcome?
Here's where things get a little fuzzy. Numbers are flying around like pigeons at Millennium Park, but according to the City of Chicago itself, we're looking at a cool 41,000+ newcomers since August of 2022. That's a lot of folks trading in their sombreros for beanies (although, let's be real, Chicago winters demand a serious headwear upgrade regardless of origin).
Texas Hold'em, Anyone?
Now, this influx wasn't exactly organic. It seems Governor Abbott of Texas decided to play a little game of migrant-shuffleboard, sending busloads of people to Chicago, a designated sanctuary city. Let's just say, Chicago's social safety net got a serious workout.
Fun Facts That May or May Not Be Entirely Accurate
- The number of deep-dish pizzas consumed by newcomers is estimated to be astronomical.
- Local salsa producers are experiencing a ** hitherto unseen** boom.
- The CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) is now offering a special "Newcomer Welcome Pass," which includes unlimited rides and a survival guide to navigating rush hour. (This may or may not be a real thing, but it should be.)
On a Serious Note...
While the situation has its humorous aspects, it's important to remember the human element. These are people seeking a better life, and Chicago stepped up to the plate. Here's to hoping these newcomers find their own little slice of Chicago magic, deep-dish and all.
