Officials say federal agents have arrested four people so far, all of whom have filed accusations against them. Locals say the arrests are winging fear.
Trump defends “Chipocalypse Now” amid the threat of the Chicago military
Donald Trump defends the military threat to Chicago, causing backlash from officials and residents.
CHICAGO — Donald Trump’s “Operation Midway Blitz” hits a hot pitch as local leaders claim immigrants are being accidentally taken down on the streets by federal agents trying to rule out violent criminals.
The White House has vehemently argued that Chicago’s operations are intended to target undocumented immigrants who commit crimes, but members of the local community say it is causing fear among law-abiding neighbours. At least four people have been arrested so far, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
“These adductions are seemingly random and agents are approaching community members on the streets,” said Ray Vence of the Illinois Union of Immigrants and Refugee Rights at a press conference. “What we are experiencing today is not normal. It’s not normal for people to go out into the streets and be snatched by their families.”
The U.S. immigration customs raid began Sunday, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Trump said federal agents target the “worst and worst” criminals who have been arrested so far, the agency’s spokesperson said in an official statement.
Chicagoans say local workers and business owners are being targeted in place of criminals.
“We never arrested the worst,” Mayor Jail Gutierrez, the city council representative for Chicago’s 14th Ward, said at a press conference Monday. Gutierrez is an immigrant from Mexico. “It’s terrifying our community, but we’re not threatened.”
The launch of the immigration attack in Chicago comes with the ruling that the U.S. Supreme Court will side with the Trump administration and that federal officials can resume indiscriminate immigration-related stops in Los Angeles, sparking racial profiling protests and accusations.
In addition to being a Democrat base, Chicago and Illinois are immigrant destinations, and according to data from today’s census, about a third of the city’s population is Hispanic.
Local politicians responded by protecting immigrants from federal law enforcement. Illinois enacted the Sanctuary State Act in 2017. Chicago has been in sanctuary protection since 1985.
Immigration rights groups are urging Chicagoans to report sightings of federal agents to the hotline. Advocates respond directly to reported sightings, distribute information about what rights people have when faced with immigration agents, and record detention if they arrive in time.
Hundreds of Homeland Security authorities are expected to operate from naval bases outside of Chicago.
Things you need to know about previous ice attacks
The charges against the four people arrested in Chicago on September 7 by Homeland Security include worsening sexual assault on a child, household batteries and armed robbery.
Immigration officers did not immediately answer questions about where the four men were charged. USA Today has not named it as it is unclear whether it was convicted of a criminal charge shared by Homeland Security.
In an official statement, the agency spokesman said, “ICE has always been operating in Chicago and targets dangerous criminal aliens portraying this sanctuary city, protecting them more than law-abiding citizens. Enforcement and public safety missions are not tolerated when we spike ice resources in the city.”
Latin neighborhoods will be shuttered before the attack
The southwest side of Chicago has long been a paradise for Mexican immigrants, and locals say people living in the area responded to the president’s attacks by taking precautions when they go out to work or simply not appearing.
“We have already seen a significant decline in people going outside,” said Huamani, a member of the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council on the southwest. “The vendors are not outside. People are scared, people are scared.”
Huamani said it is essential that people know what rights they have when faced with immigration agents, including the right to ignore immigrant status and open the door to agents who lack warrants.
“This stops agents from trying to lure us out,” she said.
Huamani also serves a team that responds directly to the Immigration Rights Coalition’s hotline. Around 30 such rapid response teams have been set up around the state in response to the Trump attack, immigration advocates said at a press conference.
LA community urges Chicago to stand up to “right” ice
The federal immigration enforcement raid in Chicago comes after the Trump administration targets democratically led cities in Los Angeles and Washington, DC
Advocates of Angeleno immigrants told USA Today that they have already begun sharing information with Chicago supporters about how to handle the rise in immigrant raids.
“One way we believe it’s important to fight back is not to cower when ice attacks start to increase when troops are deployed,” said Marisol Marquez, activist at Centro CSO of LA Immigration Rights Group. “We believe that facing it head on is the best source of courage for people and resilience.”
Having a team of people ready to respond to sightings of immigration agents is an important first step, Marquez is the key first step in ensuring people feel safe walking around their neighborhood.
She also said it is important for the community to continue living as normal as possible, including through the process of public events.
“We are not shy, we cannot show that we will accept National Guard patrols to terrorize our community,” Marquez said. “We want to let our neighbors know we’re not discouraged. Our community is united and we will continue to unite.”
