Chicago’s South Side is on edge as tensions between local gangs and newly arrived Venezuelan migrants, including members of the Tren de Aragua gang, threaten to boil over. Tyrone Muhammad, a former gang member turned activist, has been vocal about the frustration in his community. “We’re dealing with enough issues already, and now these criminal migrants are being thrown into the mix,” Muhammad said, adding that violence seems inevitable.
Muhammad’s street patrol group, Ex-Cons for Community and Social Change, has seen firsthand the challenges posed by the influx of migrants. Venezuelan gangs, particularly the Tren de Aragua, are reportedly moving into neighborhoods traditionally controlled by entrenched local gangs like the Gangster Disciples and Black P Stones.
Local gang members are angry that Venezuelan migrants are receiving government support, including housing and financial assistance, while long-time residents struggle to make ends meet. Zacc Massie, a 27-year-old from the South Side, echoed the frustration, saying, “They’re giving them cars, apartments, and thousands of dollars. Meanwhile, we get next to nothing.”
Community organizer Corey Rogers warned of an impending turf war, pointing to threats from local gangs on social media. “The Venezuelans are united, while we’re too busy fighting each other,” he said. Rogers fears that without intervention, the situation could spiral out of control.
Chicago has spent almost $500 million accommodating the more than 42,000 migrants who have arrived since 2022. Many residents feel overlooked, like Octavia Mitchell, who lost her son to gun violence and has struggled to get support for her Heal Your Heart organization. “They care about the migrants, but they don’t care about us,” she said.
