As ICE raids expected to target thousands of undocumented families in at least nine cities get underway, activists and some Chicago aldermen are looking to educate residents on how to respond to ICE agents should they encounter them carrying out enforcement actions.
More than 60 volunteers gathered at the 33rd Ward Office of Alderman Rossana Rodriguez in Albany Park on Sunday morning, and set out on bicycles and in cars to get the word out.
“I just got assigned a little chunk of the ward, and if we see ICE agents trying to get into people’s houses, we’re going to try and inform people that those agents need a warrant to enter,” volunteer Deana Rutherford said.
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Federal officials haven’t released details of their operation. Immigrant communities have been on edge since President Donald Trump’s administration announced plans for the sweeps that are expected to target about 2,000 people with final deportation orders in at least nine cities, including Chicago.
Chicago officials, including Mayor Lori Lightfoot, have denounced the planned raids and have taken steps in opposition to the enforcement action, including putting more money into the city’s legal defense fund and going door-to-door to raise awareness of the raids and to encourage immigrants to know their rights.
Volunteers also visited businesses in areas like Albany Park on Sunday to apprise them of their rights.
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“They cannot enter any business without a warrant,” 25th Ward Ald. Byron Sigcho Lopez said. “(Without one), the businesses do not have to provide any documentation.”
Activists are distributing green cards that have information about how to respond when faced with immigration enforcement action. The 33rd Ward office of Ald. Rodriguez has attorneys on hand in case residents need them.
President Donald Trump has insisted throughout the run-up to the raids that they would primarily target “criminals,” and that the action is designed to send those with final deportation orders “back to their countries.”
“We are focused on criminals as much as we can before we do anything else,” he said. “ICE is a law enforcement (agency). They are great patriots.”
ICE officials have declined comment on specific plans for the enforcement action, with spokesman Matthew Bourke saying that the agency is keeping mum on details “due to law enforcement sensitivities and the safety and security of ICE personnel.”
