Chicago’s immigrant communities are on guard following threats from President Donald Trump to implement the largest mass deportation program in U.S. history, particularly targeting major cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York.
On Sunday, President Trump used social media to call on ICE officials to expand their enforcement activities in these urban areas, a move that has sparked fear and anxiety within immigrant groups already beleaguered by ongoing threats since Trump’s inauguration in January.
Advocates and representatives from the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights have expressed that the community is receiving alarming reports of increased ICE activity, with some neighborhoods, including Pilsen and Uptown, seeing a notable uptick in enforcement actions. Despite some areas reporting no immediate spikes in ICE presence, the anticipation of ICE raids and status check-ins looms large, leaving many families in a state of distress.
Lawrence Benito, the executive director of the coalition, noted the high demand for training sessions to educate community members about their rights when approached by ICE agents. In response to increasing anxiety, organizations are working to connect families with legal resources and support, attempting to fulfill more training requests frequently since November.
Community leaders are specifically preparing for potential enforcement actions in local factories, gas stations, car washes, and shopping centers. Recent tactics reported by advocates include unexpected check-in requests by federal officials, leading to detentions during these meetings, further underscoring the urgent need to inform immigrants about their rights.
To combat rising fears, various organizations, including The Resurrection Project and Organized Communities Against Deportations, are staffing tables outside ICE facilities across the city and suburbs to distribute vital information quickly to those going for check-ins.
Members of the community are being urged to prepare childcare arrangements in case of detentions and to memorize a hotline number (855-435-7693) to seek help when needed. An online detainee locator tool has also been made available to assist families in finding their detained loved ones, although updates on detainee locations are reportedly slow.
Carlina Tapia-Ruano, an experienced immigration attorney in Chicago, shared her unsettling experiences, stating that she felt compelled to have one of her clients appear remotely for a hearing to avoid the risk of detention. She emphasized the growing anguish and fear affecting her clients as the situation evolves in an unprecedented manner, stripping away critical due process rights.
Additionally, fears regarding the impact of mass deportations are particularly pressing for the Haitian community, especially after President Trump ended temporary protected status for Haitians—a safeguard in place since the 2010 earthquake in Haiti—putting tens of thousands at risk of deportation as the protection expired on August 3.
While advocates from the Coalition of Haitian American Organizations in Chicagoland have been proactive in connecting Haitians with necessary legal resources, there has been little evidence of ICE raids in predominantly Haitian neighborhoods, potentially due to a lack of concentration of Haitians in specific areas.
Former experiences of ICE interventions have heightened worries among families within immigrant groups. Patrick Brutus, an advocate representing the Haitian advocacy coalition, noted, “It makes it hard to track where ICE has made an impact,” while the group’s current focus is aimed at reversing the travel ban imposed on citizens from Haiti and 11 other nations.
The atmosphere in Chicago has grown increasingly tense following recent actions by the Trump administration, which included deploying the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles to handle protests against raids. A senior official hinted to Rolling Stone magazine that “Chicago is next” if the situation escalates, putting the city in the administration’s crosshairs.
In response to these threats, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson strongly condemned the administration’s stance, asserting the necessity for Chicagoans to protect their constitutional rights against federal enforcement actions.
Further complicating matters, members of the Illinois Congressional delegation have faced barriers when attempting to conduct oversight checks at local immigration facilities. Recently, Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Jonathan Jackson were denied access at a South Loop ICE facility and escorted out by the police in a tense standoff.
Following this, Reps. Delia Ramirez, Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, and Danny Davis sought entry to a Broadview ICE processing center, but encountered similar resistance. A masked security officer informed them they would need to contact a supervisor to gain access.
“We are here today because as members of the United States House of Representatives, we have a right to be here,” Rep. Jackson insisted, calling attention to the perceived illegality of the Department of Homeland Security’s refusal to grant access to elected officials.
The situation remains fluid, as Chicago’s immigrant communities brace for potential enforcement actions and organize resources to assist those who may find themselves in precarious situations amidst the looming threat of mass deportations.
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