In a surprising turn of events, two Illinois congressmen were turned away from a South Loop facility used to monitor immigrants living in the United States without legal authorization.
U.S. Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi and Jonathan Jackson arrived at the facility with the intent to tour it but were met with resistance from an individual who identified himself as an agent from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
This facility plays a critical role as immigrants check in periodically as part of agreements to continue residing in the U.S. legally.
The congressmen emphasized that they have a right to oversee the operations within this facility, given their roles as elected officials.
Upon being denied entry, Krishnamoorthi remarked on the necessity of understanding the workings within these facilities to ensure proper governance and oversight.
“This is what our constituents are demanding, as well, that we figure out what the heck is going on with these facilities,” he stated.
The congressmen have been vocal critics of President Donald Trump’s administration, condemning its stringent immigration policies particularly in the Chicago area.
Jackson emphasized the emotional toll these policies take on families, asserting, “Children and families should not live in fear. We’re going to deal with this in a normal process, and Mr. Trump and his administration are being overaggressive. And they’re simply wrong and violating U.S. law.”
Despite initially being denied access, Krishnamoorthi and Jackson managed to enter the facility and stayed for approximately half an hour.
During their stay, Chicago police were summoned to the scene, but the congressmen eventually exited without further incident.
Inside the facility, Krishnamoorthi reported an unsettling encounter with an ICE officer who concealed his identity with a mask.
Afterwards, this officer called local police to label the congressmen as trespassers, leading to questions about transparency and accountability in federal operations.
“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,” Krishnamoorthi recounted.
Concerns continue to grow among families who fear the possibility of being separated from their loved ones who have to check in with ICE.
One mother, the parent of two U.S. National Guardsmen, expressed her anxieties about being detained during her check-in, shared by her sons who felt a responsibility to accompany her.
“We just fear of her being detained and us not being there. We can’t really do anything about it and can’t get involved in that. But we just always want to be with her no matter what,” said one of the brothers, Andres Reyes.
On June 4, a significant incident at the same facility, where multiple individuals were apprehended, has sparked protests, reflecting the community’s growing concern regarding ICE’s operations.
In an interview with ABC7 Chicago’s I-Team, Sam Olson, the director of the Chicago ICE Field Office, clarified that those taken into custody were ordered to check in because they had final orders of removal issued by an immigration judge.
Their accounts raise further questions about the nature of ICE’s tactics and the added stress on families navigating the immigration process.
As the congressional representatives continue to advocate for their constituents, the tension between oversight efforts and immigration enforcement appears to be a pressing matter in the community.
image source from：abc7chicago
