A tragic incident in Chicago, Illinois has brought attention to the plight of Venezuelan migrants seeking shelter in the city. The autopsy report of a 5-year-old Venezuelan boy, who passed away at a migrant shelter in Chicago, revealed that he died from sepsis and a bacterial infection that causes strep throat. The boy, Jean Carlos Martinez Rivero, fell ill at the shelter before Christmas and tragically died on Dec. 17.
The autopsy report released by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office highlighted the presence of Group A Strep, a bacterial infection that can cause strep throat and other life-threatening illnesses. Sepsis, a severe condition that can lead to serious complications in as little as 24 hours, was also listed as a contributing factor in Martinez’s death. The boy’s family had recently arrived in Chicago from Venezuela and was residing in a warehouse retrofitted as a shelter in the city’s Pilsen neighborhood.
This heartbreaking incident has raised concerns about the living conditions at the shelter and the city’s response to the influx of asylum-seekers, many of whom have been bused from Texas over the past year. Dr. Evelyn Figueroa, who works with homeless, immigrant, and low-income populations, expressed that the shelter environment can be challenging for people to rest and take care of themselves.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed his condolences to the Martinez Rivero family and acknowledged the support provided by community partners during their difficult time. The City of Chicago coordinates medical screenings for all shelter residents, weekly on-site provider support, on-site vaccination events for COVID, varicella, and flu, and partnerships with a network of community health centers for other healthcare needs.
Despite the influx of migrants, recent data from the city indicates a decrease in the number of migrants staying at shelters, with figures dropping to their lowest point in months. However, the tragic loss of Martinez Rivero has sparked a renewed discussion about the challenges faced by migrant families seeking shelter and support in Chicago.