The recent immigration crackdown in the Chicago area has resulted in the arrest of over 1,000 immigrants since its initiation last month, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Amidst criticism and growing tensions within the local communities, federal immigration agents have deployed controversial tactics, including storming apartment complexes, using chemical agents, and detaining families, including U.S. citizens.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker described the situation as having turned into a “war zone” due to the aggressive methods utilized by federal agents.
“They are the ones that are making it a war zone,” he stated during an appearance on CNN.
Reports indicate that federal agents have primarily focused their operations on immigrant-heavy and Latino neighborhoods, but a recent high-profile operation occurred in the largely Black South Shore neighborhood, which had seen a small influx of migrants.
On a Tuesday morning, armed federal agents descended upon a five-story apartment building, arresting 37 immigrants in an operation characterized by the use of helicopters and unmarked vehicles.
“In the dead of night and seemingly for the cameras, armed federal agents emerged from the Black Hawk helicopters rappelling onto the roof of that apartment building,” said Pritzker, criticizing the operation’s militaristic approach.
Witnesses describe a traumatic scene where families were terrorized, and individuals were restrained, including children and U.S. citizens.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson recounted, “They terrorized the families that were living there. There were children who were without clothing, they were zip tied, taken outside at 3 o’clock in the morning.”
Reports confirm that at least two U.S. citizens were among those temporarily detained during the raid, illustrating the indiscriminate nature of the enforcement actions.
Isaiah Johnson, a resident of the apartment building, recounted being zip-tied and detained for nearly two hours, despite informing the agents of his citizenship.
“Once I went into the hallway, it was a bunch of people in green and they were like ‘lay down, you have to go to the front.’ They made everybody go to the front, and they put us in the plastic wristband thingies,” Johnson explained.
Some community organizations, such as Southside Together, reported that doors were broken down and residents expressed feelings of insecurity in their own homes.
The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, which has been actively supporting residents, conveyed a collective sense of fear and unrest within the community.
In response to the federal actions, Governor Pritzker directed state agencies to investigate the treatment of individuals during these operations, particularly concerning allegations of children being zip-tied and separated from their families.
“Military-style tactics shouldn’t be used on children,” he emphasized.
DHS has maintained that these operations are focused on targeting individuals linked to criminal activities, such as drug trafficking and weapons crimes.
However, critics argue that the tactics employed during these operations only serve to exacerbate local tensions.
Pritzker highlighted the concerning nature of the social media posts made by the DHS, indicating that footage of the raids seemed designed for publicity rather than public safety.
image source from：nbcchicago
