In a show of support, Axel and Andres Reyes, aged 19 and 24, respectively, donned their Illinois National Guard uniforms as they accompanied their mother to an immigration office in the South Loop on Tuesday morning.
The brothers anxiously observed their mother, who has lived in the U.S. for over 24 years and was born in Mexico, enter the office where just two weeks prior, at least ten people had been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in actions linked to ‘executable final orders of removal.’
Andres Reyes expressed their fear, saying, ‘We fear her being detained and us not being there.’ He added, ‘We can’t really do anything about it or get involved in that, but we just always want to be with her.’
Fortunately, the family’s worst fears did not materialize, as their mother emerged from the office unharmed around 1 p.m. and left with her sons.
The Reyes brothers’ visit coincided with an attempt by U.S. Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi and Jonathan Jackson, both Illinois Democrats, to tour the immigration facility located at 2245 S. Michigan Ave. This visit came on the heels of President Donald Trump’s announcement on Sunday regarding an increase in deportation efforts in Democratic-led cities.
Initially, the lawmakers were denied entry into the facility but were eventually allowed in, only to be escorted out by Chicago police officers at the request of ICE agents. They managed to converse with individuals inside who were there for scheduled immigration appointments.
Earlier that day, elsewhere in the country, New York City Comptroller and mayoral candidate Brad Lander was arrested at an immigration courthouse for linking arms with a person targeted for detention.
Similarly, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla from California was forcibly removed from a Department of Homeland Security news conference in Los Angeles last week. In addition, U.S. Representative LaMonica McIver from New Jersey was indicted on federal charges for allegedly assaulting and interfering with immigration officers outside a detention center.
Krishnamoorthi recalled their experience inside the immigration facility: ‘We made it through the double doors into the facility. We talked to an ICE officer, who refused to identify himself. He was wearing a mask to obscure his identity. We asked for his name. We asked for his badge. He refused.’
The officer then called the Chicago police to remove the lawmakers from the property, which Krishnamoorthi noted was federal property. He stated, ‘We should be able to conduct oversight here, and we’re going to insist following this visit on doing just that.’
Representative Jackson described the police officers as ‘gracious and kind,’ noting the conflicting nature of their situation. He remarked, ‘What you’re beginning to see is the officers are conflicted. He was calling the police on two members of Congress and said that we were trespassing.’
Jackson further commented on the various issues occurring at the facility, highlighting concerns raised by constituents about missing family members and the dubious actions related to text messages summoning individuals to the facility.
In a concerning development, Krishnamoorthi reported that an individual was arrested and detained by ICE in Elgin on Monday. The detained man had reportedly lived in the area for 12 years and had no previous criminal record.
Following their visit, the lawmakers announced plans to send a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to express their demands for oversight and clarity regarding the facility’s operations.
Krishnamoorthi declared, ‘We have every authority to be able to insist on inspecting premises.’ He added, ‘We’re going to write a letter now, to probably Kristi Noem, and basically demand that we be allowed to see what’s happening and to learn what’s actually taking place here in Congressman Jackson’s district.’
As the political climate heats up, Krishnamoorthi, who is campaigning for Dick Durbin’s Senate seat, expressed his commitment to ensuring accountability from the Trump administration, emphasizing the potential need to subpoena Noem in pursuit of transparency.
Meanwhile, the race for the Democratic Party’s nomination for Durbin’s Senate seat is heating up, with Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly also in the fray.
image source from：chicago
