As the dawn of another Trump presidency casts a shadow over Chicago, local police have been issued a reminder: do not assist with immigration enforcement. This decree, crucial amidst potential ICE raids, was reported by WGN News. Echoing the voice of a city determined to defend its immigrant population, Chicago Police are constrained by law and policy from aiding in the deportation process or even asking about someone's immigration status.
Despite these local safeguards, there's chatter from federal agencies about launching the "largest deportation operation in history," as Tom Homan, Trump’s border czar, avowed to Chicago's Republican circle. ABC News sources say these federals have dozens of individuals marked for deportation in the Chicago area. All mentioned targets reportedly have current or past entanglements with the law, whether bonded, detained, or sought-after.
City Council Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights chair Alderman Andre Vasquez has been actively guiding at-risk migrants on what to look for, emphasizing the need for a judicial warrant for any actions to be legitimate, according to ABC News. Meanwhile, immigrant advocates remind people that they "have the right to remain silent" and "the right to not open your door," as per WGN's interview with Erendira Rendon of The Resurrection Project.
Cautious is the sentiment echoed from community leaders to lay workers. Laura Gutierrez Ramos, operator of Nuevo Leon Restaurant in Little Village, revealed to ABC News a palpable fear in the air, unheard of in her five-decades experience. Her words draw attention to the economic implications of potential raids, as the immigrant workforce underpins many of Chicago's essential services. As for educational institutions, CPS CEO Pedro Martinez reassured families that schools will remain safe havens, pledging that "we are not going to interact with ICE," according to a statement obtained by ABC News.
The Chicago Police Department, aligning with city and state regulations, stands resolute in its promise to abstain from involvement in immigration enforcement, pursuing only legitimate crime irrespective of citizenship status.
