Fabian Mendez, 20, stands next to his girlfriend, Yolexi Cubillan, 19, while holding their newborn, Derick Alexander Cubillan, at the University of Chicago Medical Center on Sept. 3, 2023.

Fabian Mendez, 20, stands next to his girlfriend, Yolexi Cubillan, 19, while holding their newborn, Derick Alexander Cubillan, at the University of Chicago Medical Center on Sept. 3, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Mendez family desperate journey

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A migrant family of five flees Venezuela to escape economic collapse, then travels over 3,000 miles for more than seven weeks to finally reach Chicago. Esperanza Beatriz Mendez and her three children, Fabian Galue Mendez, 19, Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, and Pedro Luis Mendez, 9, Fabian’s girlfriend Yolexi Carolina Cubillan, 19, and the family’s dog Milo arrived in the U.S. on July 11 after traveling for 52 days from Venezuela.

Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, plays with a U.S. flag as her mother, Esperanza Beatriz Mendez, gets ready for bed July 12, 2023, while staying at a migrant shelter at Holy Family Catholic Church in El Paso, Texas, the day before leaving for Denver. Mendez and her three children, Fabian Galue Mendez, 19, Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, and Pedro Luis Mendez, 9, Fabian’s girlfriend Yolexi Carolina Cubillan, 19, and the family’s dog Milo have been staying at the shelter since arriving in the U.S. on July 11 after traveling for 52 days from Venezuela.

Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, plays with a U.S. flag as her mother, Esperanza Beatriz Mendez, gets ready for bed July 12, 2023, while staying at a migrant shelter at Holy Family Catholic Church in El Paso, Texas, the day before leaving for Denver. Mendez and her three children, Fabian Galue Mendez, 19, Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, and Pedro Luis Mendez, 9, Fabian’s girlfriend Yolexi Carolina Cubillan, 19, and the family’s dog Milo have been staying at the shelter since arriving in the U.S. on July 11 after traveling for 52 days from Venezuela. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, sits outside with her brother Fabian Galue Mendez, 19, before going to bed the day before leaving for Denver while staying at a migrant shelter at Holy Family Catholic Church in El Paso, Texas, on July 12, 2023.

Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, sits outside with her brother Fabian Galue Mendez, 19, before going to bed the day before leaving for Denver while staying at a migrant shelter at Holy Family Catholic Church in El Paso, Texas, on July 12, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Pedro Luis Mendez, 9, rubs his mother Esperanza Beatriz Mendez’s head shortly before the family leaves a migrant shelter at Holy Family Catholic Church in El Paso, Texas, on July 13, 2023, heading to a bus station to travel to Denver.

Pedro Luis Mendez, 9, rubs his mother Esperanza Beatriz Mendez’s head shortly before the family leaves a migrant shelter at Holy Family Catholic Church in El Paso, Texas, on July 13, 2023, heading to a bus station to travel to Denver. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, from left, her mother, Esperanza Beatriz Mendez, and Yolexi Carolina Cubillan, 19, eat their last meal at a migrant shelter at Holy Family Catholic Church in El Paso, Texas, on July 13, 2023, before leaving for the bus station to travel to Denver.

Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, from left, her mother, Esperanza Beatriz Mendez, and Yolexi Carolina Cubillan, 19, eat their last meal at a migrant shelter at Holy Family Catholic Church in El Paso, Texas, on July 13, 2023, before leaving for the bus station to travel to Denver. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, left, her brother Pedro Luis Mendez, 9, their dog Milo, and Yolexi Carolina Cubillan, 19, walk past empty beds after eating dinner July 13, 2023, at a migrant shelter at Holy Family Catholic Church in El Paso, Texas, before leaving for Denver.

Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, left, her brother Pedro Luis Mendez, 9, their dog Milo, and Yolexi Carolina Cubillan, 19, walk past empty beds after eating dinner July 13, 2023, at a migrant shelter at Holy Family Catholic Church in El Paso, Texas, before leaving for Denver. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Esperanza Beatriz Mendez walks back to a migrant shelter at Holy Family Catholic Church in El Paso, Texas, on July 13, 2023, after the Rev. Jarek Jarolaw Wysoczanski purchased tickets for Mendez and her family to take a bus to Denver later in the day.

Esperanza Beatriz Mendez walks back to a migrant shelter at Holy Family Catholic Church in El Paso, Texas, on July 13, 2023, after the Rev. Jarek Jarolaw Wysoczanski purchased tickets for Mendez and her family to take a bus to Denver later in the day. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, watches her mother, Esperanza Beatriz Mendez, fix a leash for Milo, the family’s 1-year-old Chihuahua mix dog, after he chewed through the threads while the family stays at a migrant shelter at Holy Family Catholic Church, in El Paso, Texas, on July 12, 2023.

Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, watches her mother, Esperanza Beatriz Mendez, fix a leash for Milo, the family’s 1-year-old Chihuahua mix dog, after he chewed through the threads while the family stays at a migrant shelter at Holy Family Catholic Church, in El Paso, Texas, on July 12, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Esperanza Beatriz Mendez conditions her 10-year-old daughter Yuledy Yisel Mendez's hair while the two stay at a migrant shelter at Holy Family Catholic Church in El Paso, Texas, on July 12, 2023.

Esperanza Beatriz Mendez conditions her 10-year-old daughter Yuledy Yisel Mendez's hair while the two stay at a migrant shelter at Holy Family Catholic Church in El Paso, Texas, on July 12, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Esperanza Beatriz Mendez receives a pet carrier on July 12, 2023, from the Rev. Jarek Jarolaw Wysoczanski for the family’s dog Milo before leaving El Paso, Texas, for Denver the next day.

Esperanza Beatriz Mendez receives a pet carrier on July 12, 2023, from the Rev. Jarek Jarolaw Wysoczanski for the family’s dog Milo before leaving El Paso, Texas, for Denver the next day. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Yolexi Carolina Cubillan, 19, from left, her boyfriend, Fabian Galue Mendez, 19, his brother Pedro Luis Mendez, 9, his sister Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, and their mother, Esperanza Beatriz Mendez, walk into the Los Limousines bus station in El Paso, Texas, before taking an 11-hour bus ride to Denver on July 13, 2023.

Yolexi Carolina Cubillan, 19, from left, her boyfriend, Fabian Galue Mendez, 19, his brother Pedro Luis Mendez, 9, his sister Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, and their mother, Esperanza Beatriz Mendez, walk into the Los Limousines bus station in El Paso, Texas, before taking an 11-hour bus ride to Denver on July 13, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, from left, her mother, Esperanza Beatriz Mendez, and her son Pedro Luis Mendez, 9, sit on the floor of the the Los Limousines bus station in El Paso on July 13, 2023.

Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, from left, her mother, Esperanza Beatriz Mendez, and her son Pedro Luis Mendez, 9, sit on the floor of the the Los Limousines bus station in El Paso on July 13, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, looks at her mother, Esperanza Beatriz Mendez, while the Rev. Jarek Jarolaw Wysoczanski drives them and their family to the bus station in El Paso, Texas, where they were leaving for Denver on July 13, 2023.

Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, looks at her mother, Esperanza Beatriz Mendez, while the Rev. Jarek Jarolaw Wysoczanski drives them and their family to the bus station in El Paso, Texas, where they were leaving for Denver on July 13, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Pedro Luis Mendez, 9, his sister, Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, their mother, Esperanza Beatriz Mendez, their 1-year-old Chihuahua mix Milo, and Yolexi Carolina Cubillan, 19, sit at the Los Limousines bus station on July 14, 2023.

Pedro Luis Mendez, 9, his sister, Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, their mother, Esperanza Beatriz Mendez, their 1-year-old Chihuahua mix Milo, and Yolexi Carolina Cubillan, 19, sit at the Los Limousines bus station on July 14, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Esperanza Beatriz Mendez and her daughter, Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, sleep on one another while traveling through New Mexico with their family on an 11-hour Los Limousines bus ride to Denver in the early hours of July 14, 2023.

Esperanza Beatriz Mendez and her daughter, Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, sleep on one another while traveling through New Mexico with their family on an 11-hour Los Limousines bus ride to Denver in the early hours of July 14, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, sits on the lap of her mother, Esperanza Beatriz Mendez, next to Yolexi Carolina Cubillan, 19, as Owen Ceballos drives them from the Los Limousines bus station to the Denver Coliseum on July 14, 2023. Ceballos met the family outside the bus station and told them they should go to the coliseum, which is being used as processing center for recently arrived migrants. He offered to drive the family there for $20.

Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, sits on the lap of her mother, Esperanza Beatriz Mendez, next to Yolexi Carolina Cubillan, 19, as Owen Ceballos drives them from the Los Limousines bus station to the Denver Coliseum on July 14, 2023. Ceballos met the family outside the bus station and told them they should go to the coliseum, which is being used as processing center for recently arrived migrants. He offered to drive the family there for $20. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, her brothers Pedro Luis Mendez, 9, and Fabian Galue Mendez, 19, sit on the ground and play while waiting for a train in Denver to take them to Chicago on July 14, 2023.

Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, her brothers Pedro Luis Mendez, 9, and Fabian Galue Mendez, 19, sit on the ground and play while waiting for a train in Denver to take them to Chicago on July 14, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Yuledy Yisel Mendez sits next to her brother Fabian Galue Mendez as he rubs the stomach of his girlfriend, Yolexi Carolina Cubillan, who is six months pregnant, while waiting in Denver's Union Station on July 14, 2023, for a train to take them to Chicago.

Yuledy Yisel Mendez sits next to her brother Fabian Galue Mendez as he rubs the stomach of his girlfriend, Yolexi Carolina Cubillan, who is six months pregnant, while waiting in Denver's Union Station on July 14, 2023, for a train to take them to Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Pedro Luis Mendez, 9, Esperanza Beatriz Mendez, Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, Fabian Galue Mendez, 19, and his girlfriend, Yolexi Carolina Cubillan, 19, sit on the ground in Denver on July 14, 2023, as people walk by. Taylor Swift was performing nearby that night, at Empower Field at Mile High stadium.

Pedro Luis Mendez, 9, Esperanza Beatriz Mendez, Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, Fabian Galue Mendez, 19, and his girlfriend, Yolexi Carolina Cubillan, 19, sit on the ground in Denver on July 14, 2023, as people walk by. Taylor Swift was performing nearby that night, at Empower Field at Mile High stadium. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Pedro Luis Mendez, 9, and his sister, Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, sit on the ground in Denver while waiting with their family for a train to take them to Chicago on July 14, 2023.

Pedro Luis Mendez, 9, and his sister, Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, sit on the ground in Denver while waiting with their family for a train to take them to Chicago on July 14, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Pedro Luis Mendez, 9, from left, his brother's girlfriend, Yolexi Carolina Cubillan, 19, and Pedro’s mother, Esperanza Beatriz Mendez, board a train at Denver's Union Station on July 14, 2023, after waiting for 12 hours. The train would take them to Chicago.

Pedro Luis Mendez, 9, from left, his brother's girlfriend, Yolexi Carolina Cubillan, 19, and Pedro’s mother, Esperanza Beatriz Mendez, board a train at Denver's Union Station on July 14, 2023, after waiting for 12 hours. The train would take them to Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Esperanza Beatriz Mendez and her daughter Yuledy Mendez, 10, rest while traveling on a 18 hour train ride with their family from Denver to Chicago in the early morning of July 15, 2023 in Nebraska.

Esperanza Beatriz Mendez and her daughter Yuledy Mendez, 10, rest while traveling on a 18 hour train ride with their family from Denver to Chicago in the early morning of July 15, 2023 in Nebraska. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Pedro Luis Mendez, 9, sits next to his mother, Esperanza Beatriz Mendez, while she feeds her daughter, Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich near Ottumwa, Iowa, during an 18-hour train ride ride between Denver and Chicago on July 15, 2023.

Pedro Luis Mendez, 9, sits next to his mother, Esperanza Beatriz Mendez, while she feeds her daughter, Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich near Ottumwa, Iowa, during an 18-hour train ride ride between Denver and Chicago on July 15, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Pedro Luis Mendez, 9, plays near a station platform while his train makes a quick stop in Ottumwa, Iowa, on the journey between Denver and Chicago on July 15, 2023.

Pedro Luis Mendez, 9, plays near a station platform while his train makes a quick stop in Ottumwa, Iowa, on the journey between Denver and Chicago on July 15, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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While carrying the family's dog Milo, Esperanza Beatriz Mendez, her son Fabian Galue Mendez, 19, and his girlfriend Yolexi Carolina Cubillan, 19, walk through Union Station after riding a train for 18-hours from Denver to Chicago, July 15, 2023 in Chicago. The family left Venezuela for Chicago on May 25th and traveled for 52 days before reaching the city. After arriving at Union Station no city officials or volunteers were present to assist the family in finding a shelter.

While carrying the family's dog Milo, Esperanza Beatriz Mendez, her son Fabian Galue Mendez, 19, and his girlfriend Yolexi Carolina Cubillan, 19, walk through Union Station after riding a train for 18-hours from Denver to Chicago, July 15, 2023 in Chicago. The family left Venezuela for Chicago on May 25th and traveled for 52 days before reaching the city. After arriving at Union Station no city officials or volunteers were present to assist the family in finding a shelter. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Esperanza Beatriz Mendez takes a photo of her son Fabian Galue Mendez, 19, in Chicago's Union Station after riding a train for 18 hours from Denver on July 15, 2023. The family left Venezuela on May 25 and traveled for 52 days before reaching Chicago. When they arrived at Union Station, no city officials or volunteers were present to assist the family in finding a shelter.

Esperanza Beatriz Mendez takes a photo of her son Fabian Galue Mendez, 19, in Chicago's Union Station after riding a train for 18 hours from Denver on July 15, 2023. The family left Venezuela on May 25 and traveled for 52 days before reaching Chicago. When they arrived at Union Station, no city officials or volunteers were present to assist the family in finding a shelter. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, her brothers Pedro Luis Mendez, 9, and Fabian Galue Mendez, 19, their mother, Esperanza Beatriz Mendez, and the family's dog Milo walk through Chicago's Union Station on July 15, 2023, after arriving from Denver.

Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, her brothers Pedro Luis Mendez, 9, and Fabian Galue Mendez, 19, their mother, Esperanza Beatriz Mendez, and the family's dog Milo walk through Chicago's Union Station on July 15, 2023, after arriving from Denver. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Yolexi Carolina Cubillan, 19, Yuleidy Yisel Mendez, 10, her mother, Esperanza Beatriz Mendez, the family's dog Milo, and Mendez’s son Fabian Galue Mendez, 19, look for shelters on their phones while standing outside Chicago's Union Station on July 15, 2023.

Yolexi Carolina Cubillan, 19, Yuleidy Yisel Mendez, 10, her mother, Esperanza Beatriz Mendez, the family's dog Milo, and Mendez’s son Fabian Galue Mendez, 19, look for shelters on their phones while standing outside Chicago's Union Station on July 15, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Fabian Galue Mendez, 19, his girlfriend Yolexi Carolina Cubillan, 19, Fabian’s mother, Esperanza Beatriz Mendez, the family's dog Milo, and Mendez’s children Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, and edro Luis Mendez, 9, walk outside Union Station in Chicago on July 15, 2023.

Fabian Galue Mendez, 19, his girlfriend Yolexi Carolina Cubillan, 19, Fabian’s mother, Esperanza Beatriz Mendez, the family's dog Milo, and Mendez’s children Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, and edro Luis Mendez, 9, walk outside Union Station in Chicago on July 15, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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After looking on their phones for a shelter, Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, the family's dog Milo, Yuledy's brother Fabian Galue Mendez, 19, their mother. Esperanza Beatriz Mendez, and her son Pedro Luis Mendez, 9, wait outside Union Station in Chicago. No city officials or volunteers were present to assist the family in finding a shelter.

After looking on their phones for a shelter, Yuledy Yisel Mendez, 10, the family's dog Milo, Yuledy's brother Fabian Galue Mendez, 19, their mother. Esperanza Beatriz Mendez, and her son Pedro Luis Mendez, 9, wait outside Union Station in Chicago. No city officials or volunteers were present to assist the family in finding a shelter. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Esperanza Mendez and Yolexi Cubillan, 19, sit on the floor while waiting in line with other migrants at an Illinois Department of Human Services office in Chicago on Aug. 28, 2023. Esperanza and Yolexi waited at the office for over eight hours.

Esperanza Mendez and Yolexi Cubillan, 19, sit on the floor while waiting in line with other migrants at an Illinois Department of Human Services office in Chicago on Aug. 28, 2023. Esperanza and Yolexi waited at the office for over eight hours. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Yolexi Cubillan, 19, sits on the floor while waiting in line with other migrants at an Illinois Department of Human Services office in Chicago on Aug. 28, 2023. Yolexi waited at the office for over eight hours for services.

Yolexi Cubillan, 19, sits on the floor while waiting in line with other migrants at an Illinois Department of Human Services office in Chicago on Aug. 28, 2023. Yolexi waited at the office for over eight hours for services. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Fabian Mendez, 20, stands next to his girlfriend, Yolexi Cubillan, 19, while holding their newborn, Derick Alexander Cubillan, at the University of Chicago Medical Center on Sept. 3, 2023.

Fabian Mendez, 20, stands next to his girlfriend, Yolexi Cubillan, 19, while holding their newborn, Derick Alexander Cubillan, at the University of Chicago Medical Center on Sept. 3, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Yolexi Cubillan, 19, from Venezuela, holds her newborn, Derick Alexander Cubillan, at the University of Chicago Medical Center on Sept. 3, 2023.

Yolexi Cubillan, 19, from Venezuela, holds her newborn, Derick Alexander Cubillan, at the University of Chicago Medical Center on Sept. 3, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Yolexi Cubillan, 19, and her boyfriend, Fabian Mendez, 20, board a bus on West Garfield Boulevard in Chicago as they take their newborn, Derick Alexander Cubillan, to a medical appointment on Sept. 7, 2023.

Yolexi Cubillan, 19, and her boyfriend, Fabian Mendez, 20, board a bus on West Garfield Boulevard in Chicago as they take their newborn, Derick Alexander Cubillan, to a medical appointment on Sept. 7, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Yolexi Cubillan, 19, sits next to her boyfriend, Fabian Mendez, 20, at a bus stop on West Garfield Boulevard as they take their newborn, Derick Alexander Cubillan, to a medical appointment, Sept. 7, 2023.

Yolexi Cubillan, 19, sits next to her boyfriend, Fabian Mendez, 20, at a bus stop on West Garfield Boulevard as they take their newborn, Derick Alexander Cubillan, to a medical appointment, Sept. 7, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Yuledy Mendez, 10, rides the CTA's Red Line with her mother, Esperanza Méendez, after leaving St. Bernard Hospital and Health Care Center in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood on Nov. 20, 2023. After arriving in Chicago from Venezuela in July, Esperanza wanted Yuledy and Pedro to be seen for various medical concerns and Esperanza wanted to be seen for a lump on her neck.

Yuledy Mendez, 10, rides the CTA's Red Line with her mother, Esperanza Méendez, after leaving St. Bernard Hospital and Health Care Center in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood on Nov. 20, 2023. After arriving in Chicago from Venezuela in July, Esperanza wanted Yuledy and Pedro to be seen for various medical concerns and Esperanza wanted to be seen for a lump on her neck. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Pedro Luis Mendez, 9, sits with his mother, Esperanza Mendez, while she waits to receive a CT scan at Stroger Hospital in Chicago on Nov. 21, 2023.

Pedro Luis Mendez, 9, sits with his mother, Esperanza Mendez, while she waits to receive a CT scan at Stroger Hospital in Chicago on Nov. 21, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Pedro Luis Mendez, 9, hugs his mother, Esperanza Mendez, while she waits to receive a CT scan at Stroger Hospital on Nov. 21, 2023.

Pedro Luis Mendez, 9, hugs his mother, Esperanza Mendez, while she waits to receive a CT scan at Stroger Hospital on Nov. 21, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Pedro Luis Mendez, 9, cries with his mother, Esperanza Mendez, at Stroger Hospital on Nov. 21, 2023, after a doctor explained there were black spots in the pockets of fat that appeared in her CT scan results.

Pedro Luis Mendez, 9, cries with his mother, Esperanza Mendez, at Stroger Hospital on Nov. 21, 2023, after a doctor explained there were black spots in the pockets of fat that appeared in her CT scan results. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Yuledy Méndez, 10, Pedro Luis Méndez, 9, and Yolexi Cubillan, 19, look through an aisle in a store while shopping for food near their home in Englewood on Nov. 6, 2023.

Yuledy Méndez, 10, Pedro Luis Méndez, 9, and Yolexi Cubillan, 19, look through an aisle in a store while shopping for food near their home in Englewood on Nov. 6, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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A scar is visible on 10-year-old Yuledy Mendez’s cheek while she shops for food with her family near their home in the Englewood neighborhood on Nov. 6, 2023. Yuledy and her brother Pedro were both hurt after students hit them at school.

A scar is visible on 10-year-old Yuledy Mendez’s cheek while she shops for food with her family near their home in the Englewood neighborhood on Nov. 6, 2023. Yuledy and her brother Pedro were both hurt after students hit them at school. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Yuledy Mendez, 10, Yolexi Cubillan, 19, and Pedro Luis Méndez, 9, pass a boarded-up building while walking home after shopping for food in their neighborhood on Nov. 6, 2023.

Yuledy Mendez, 10, Yolexi Cubillan, 19, and Pedro Luis Méndez, 9, pass a boarded-up building while walking home after shopping for food in their neighborhood on Nov. 6, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Esperanza Mendez combs her son Pedro Mendez’s, 9, hair before walking him and his sister Yuledy, all from Venezuela, to Oliver Wendell Holmes Elementary School in the Englewood neighborhood, Dec. 14, 2023 in Chicago. Esperanza had been reluctant to send her children back to school after they were involved in a fight with other children but began taking them back a few weeks after the incident.

Esperanza Mendez combs her son Pedro Mendez’s, 9, hair before walking him and his sister Yuledy, all from Venezuela, to Oliver Wendell Holmes Elementary School in the Englewood neighborhood, Dec. 14, 2023 in Chicago. Esperanza had been reluctant to send her children back to school after they were involved in a fight with other children but began taking them back a few weeks after the incident. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Yuledy Mendez, 11, of Venezuela, walks behind another student while entering Oliver Wendell Holmes Elementary School in the Englewood neighborhood in Chicago on Dec. 14, 2023.

Yuledy Mendez, 11, of Venezuela, walks behind another student while entering Oliver Wendell Holmes Elementary School in the Englewood neighborhood in Chicago on Dec. 14, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Pedro Mendez, 9, of Venezuela, tells his mother, Esperanza Mendez, about a party at school after leaving Oliver Wendell Holmes Elementary School in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood on Dec. 21, 2023. Esperanza asked Pedro why he had crumbs on his face before he told her about the cookies and Takis chips he’d eaten at the party.

Pedro Mendez, 9, of Venezuela, tells his mother, Esperanza Mendez, about a party at school after leaving Oliver Wendell Holmes Elementary School in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood on Dec. 21, 2023. Esperanza asked Pedro why he had crumbs on his face before he told her about the cookies and Takis chips he’d eaten at the party. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Yuledy Mendez, 11, a migrant from Venezuela, runs towards her mother, Esperanza Mendez, after leaving Oliver Wendell Holmes Elementary School in the Englewood neighborhood on Dec. 21, 2023. Her mother had been reluctant to send her children back to school after they were involved in a fight with other kids, but she began taking them back two weeks after the incident.

Yuledy Mendez, 11, a migrant from Venezuela, runs towards her mother, Esperanza Mendez, after leaving Oliver Wendell Holmes Elementary School in the Englewood neighborhood on Dec. 21, 2023. Her mother had been reluctant to send her children back to school after they were involved in a fight with other kids, but she began taking them back two weeks after the incident. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Yuledy Mendez, 11, of Venezuela, hugs her mother Esperanza Mendez after leaving Oliver Wendell Holmes Elementary School in the Englewood neighborhood on Dec. 21, 2023 in Chicago. Esperanza Mendez had been reluctant to send her children back to school after they were involved in a fight but began taking them back two weeks after the incident.

Yuledy Mendez, 11, of Venezuela, hugs her mother Esperanza Mendez after leaving Oliver Wendell Holmes Elementary School in the Englewood neighborhood on Dec. 21, 2023 in Chicago. Esperanza Mendez had been reluctant to send her children back to school after they were involved in a fight but began taking them back two weeks after the incident. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Yolexi Cubillan, 19, holds her child, Derick Alexander Cubillan, in his new Christmas clothes on Christmas Eve in their home on Dec. 24, 2023. Yolexi’s son Derick was born in September in Chicago after she traveled 52 days while pregnant from Venezuela to Chicago.

Yolexi Cubillan, 19, holds her child, Derick Alexander Cubillan, in his new Christmas clothes on Christmas Eve in their home on Dec. 24, 2023. Yolexi’s son Derick was born in September in Chicago after she traveled 52 days while pregnant from Venezuela to Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Yuledy Mendez, 11, holds her nephew Derick Alexander Cubillan while sitting next to her brother Pedro Mendez, 9, as Derick’s mother, Yolexi Cubillan, 19, takes a photo on Christmas Eve in their home in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood on Dec. 24, 2023.

Yuledy Mendez, 11, holds her nephew Derick Alexander Cubillan while sitting next to her brother Pedro Mendez, 9, as Derick’s mother, Yolexi Cubillan, 19, takes a photo on Christmas Eve in their home in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood on Dec. 24, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Esperanza Mendez sits with her daughter Yuledy Mendez, 11, on Christmas Eve in their home in the Englewood neighborhood Dec. 24, 2023. Esperanza had worried about how much money the family would have to spend on presents for her children this year after buying a Christmas tree and food for the holidays.

Esperanza Mendez sits with her daughter Yuledy Mendez, 11, on Christmas Eve in their home in the Englewood neighborhood Dec. 24, 2023. Esperanza had worried about how much money the family would have to spend on presents for her children this year after buying a Christmas tree and food for the holidays. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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Yuledy Mendez, 11, holds her nephew Derick Alexander Cubillan while sitting next to her brother Pedro Mendez, 9, before Derick’s mother Yolexi Cubillan, 19, takes a photo on Christmas Eve in their home in the Englewood neighborhood on Dec. 24, 2023 in Chicago. Yolexi’s son Derick was born in September in Chicago after she traveled 52 days while pregnant from Venezuela to Chicago.

Yuledy Mendez, 11, holds her nephew Derick Alexander Cubillan while sitting next to her brother Pedro Mendez, 9, before Derick’s mother Yolexi Cubillan, 19, takes a photo on Christmas Eve in their home in the Englewood neighborhood on Dec. 24, 2023 in Chicago. Yolexi’s son Derick was born in September in Chicago after she traveled 52 days while pregnant from Venezuela to Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

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