ST. LOUIS — Latino migrants currently living in Chicago could soon be making their way to St. Louis. The Windy City has been a self-proclaimed sanctuary city, where it vowed to shield all immigrants.
Chicago is in a crisis after more than 18,000 immigrants have arrived in the city. The federal humanitarian parole program allows up to 30,000 people each month to enter the United States from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela.
The timing comes as the International Institute of St. Louis announced its new Latino Outreach Program in September. Karlos Ramirez, the program's vice president, said he recently visited Chicago to learn how the city and St. Louis can work together.
Immigrants in this parole program who are ready to work are Ramirez's priority right now.
"I met the deputy mayor of Chicago and it was productive," Ramirez said. "The whole idea for me is to really start recruiting Hispanics to move to St. Louis to amp up our workforce because the population here in St. Louis is declining."
Chicago is just the first stop. Ramirez may also visit New York, El Paso and Puerto Rico.
"In theory, they already have a sponsor, which is how they were accepted into the parole program," Ramirez said. "Shortly thereafter they can get a work permit and they're already going to be documented."
The are 12 beds available for housing in St. Louis under the program, according to Ramirez. The program's second phase would be closer to 100 beds, with a goal to bring 500 immigrants to the region in the first year.
"It’s a gradual move," he said.
Nick Dunne, a spokesperson for the city of St. Louis, said there have been no "direct conversations" on migrants from Chicago coming to the Gateway City.
"With the creation of the Office of New Americans under Mayor (Tishaura) Jones’ leadership, the city is working to improve immigrants’ experience with our local government," Dunne said.
Stitchers and sewers are under one roof on Washington Avenue, turning scraps into stylish wear in the Garment District in downtown St. Louis as diverse worlds also weave together.
Immigrants, new arrivals and refugees are hired at the Collective Thread.
CEO Terri Stipanovich has seen a recent trend.
"We recently hired three individuals from El Salvador, they already had sewing skills," she said. "We had an ad for sewers and I would say 90% of the people interviewed with us were from Central or South America."
The Collective Thread is just one group ready to respond to new arrivals.
"We’ve been in contact with the International Institute for some years and they have referred people to us looking for jobs," she said.
Stipanovich believes welcoming workers can build the workforce.
"Not only do we at the Collective Thread need a skilled working force to bolster the fashion scene in St. Louis, but we get calls. There are over 40 makers in St. Louis and they are all in need of skilled sewers," she said.
In-house designer Paulie Gibson also sees the value of new talent behind the needle, noticing recent hires' dedication and skill.
"We’re very fortunate to have people from El Salvador who spent decades working in a factory. They know these machines in and out. It's amazing they have that skill and pass that on to their co-workers and suddenly everyone rises together," Gibson said.
Stipanovich is hoping to re-launch its free school, but it is in need of more funding.
In February, the organization is hosting a fashion show for its biggest fundraiser. For more information to donate, click here.
To donate to the International Institute, Ramirez said donations will go towards housing. Click here to donate, click here.
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