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Immigrants in Chicago and other US cities brace for expected Trump deportation arrests
CHICAGO (AP) — The Rev. Homero Sanchez said he didn’t realize the depth of fear in the Chicago immigrant community he serves until someone asked him to handle the sale of their family’s home and other finances if they are picked up this week when President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
Immigrants in large cities have been preparing for mass arrests since Trump won election in November, but reports that his initial push would be in the Chicago area has brought a new sense of urgency and fear.
“They feel they have been targeted for who they are. They feel like they’re reviving this fear they had eight years ago,” said Sanchez of St. Rita of Cascia Parish on Chicago’s South Side. “They’re feeling like something is going to happen. This is not their city because of the threat.”
Sanchez, whose congregation has consisted mostly of people of Mexican descent since the 1980s, devoted Sunday Mass “to solidarity with our immigrant brothers and sisters.”
Some immigrants in the country without legal status have been designating power of attorney to trusted friends, making plans for childcare in case of separations and installing security cameras on their doors in case immigration agents come. Others have left voluntarily, as Trump aides have encouraged them to do.
Plans for deportation arrests are in flux, but federal immigration officers will target more than 300 people with histories of egregious, violent crimes after Trump takes office Monday, one official said Saturday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the plans have not been made public.
The operation will be concentrated in the Chicago area and continue all week, subject to potential weather delays, the official said. Temperatures in Chicago dipped to 6 degrees Fahrenheit (-14.4 degrees Celsius) with cold temperatures forecast throughout the week.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests a fraction of its targets in such operations, though Trump is expected to cast a wider net than President Joe Biden, whose focus on picking up people away from the border was largely limited to those with serious criminal histories or who pose a risk to national security. Biden’s administration also ended the practice of mass worksite arrests, which were common under Trump, including a 2019 operation targeting Mississippi chicken plants.
Trump aides have said they will arrest others, such as spouses or roommates, who are not targets but happen to be in the country illegally.
Trump told NBC News on Saturday that mass deportations remain a top priority. He didn’t give an exact date or city where they’ll start, but he said they would begin soon.
“It’ll begin very early, very quickly,” he said, adding: “I can’t say which cities because things are evolving. And I don’t think we want to say what city. You’ll see it firsthand.”
Sanctuary cities, which limit how local police can cooperate with federal immigration agents, have been one of Trump’s favorite targets — especially Chicago.
The nation’s third-largest city became a so-called sanctuary city in the 1980s and has beefed up its policies multiple times since, including after Trump first took office in 2017. Last week, the City Council heartily rejected a longshot plan calling for exceptions allowing local police to work with ICE agents on deportation cases for people accused or convicted of crimes.
Trump’s incoming so-called “border czar” Tom Homan blasted top Democratic leaders in the state during a visit to the Chicago area last month where he indicated enforcement would start there. But in recent days he told media outlets that plans were evolving.
Homan said on the Fox News program “America’s Newsroom” on Sunday that Chicago was still on the table but that the new administration was “reconsidering when and how we do it.”
An ICE spokesperson referred questions Sunday to the Trump transition team, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The plan was reported earlier by The Wall Street Journal, which said the operation is expected to begin Tuesday.
Community and religious leaders in Chicago said they were disappointed with the potential operation, but ready.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said Sunday on X that his “commitment to protecting and supporting this city remains unwavering.”
Cardinal Blase Cupich, who leads the Archdiocese of Chicago, spoke out as well.
“The reports being circulated of planned mass deportations targeting the Chicago area are not only profoundly disturbing but also wound us deeply,” Cupich said Sunday during a visit to Mexico City, according to a copy of his prepared remarks. “We are proud of our legacy of immigration that continues in our day to renew the city we love.”
Immigrant rights advocates in Chicago rallied Saturday, including Democratic U.S. Reps. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia and Delia Ramirez. They urged immigrants in Chicago to remain calm and exercise their rights, particularly to remain silent and refuse to allow officers into their homes without warrants. Some advocacy groups have planned legal workshops anticipating mass arrests next week.
Ramirez planned to skip Monday’s inauguration to post flyers in immigrant-heavy Chicago neighborhoods with information on what to do in case of an encounter with immigration agents.
“We won’t let our guard down in Chicago,” Garcia wrote on X.
Carlos, an immigrant from Mexico, has lived in the Chicago area for decades. The 56-year-old doesn’t have legal status to stay in the country but has work authorization in construction and welding. He declined to give his last name and discuss details of his immigration status for fear of being targeted for deportation.
He has three children who have legal status to stay in the country through the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, which remains in legal limbo.
Carlos said the family’s contingency planning for deportation includes finding someone to manage their bank accounts, home and car. They’ve also installed a camera on their suburban Chicago home and plan to screen all visitors.
“If people come to the house, don’t open the door,” he explained. “Ask who it is. Don’t open it unless they have an order.”
___
Associated Press writer Elliot Spagat contributed to this report from San Diego.
As the Trump administration gears up for a massive deportation operation targeting undocumented immigrants in major US cities, including Chicago, immigrant communities across the country are on edge.The planned raids, expected to begin in the coming days, will reportedly target thousands of undocumented immigrants with final deportation orders. The operation, spearheaded by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has sparked fear and anxiety among immigrant communities who fear being torn apart from their families and loved ones.
In Chicago, a city known for its diverse population and strong immigrant community, many are bracing for the impact of these raids. Local organizations and advocacy groups are working tirelessly to provide support and resources to those at risk of being targeted by ICE.
The Trump administration has defended the raids as necessary to enforce immigration laws and crack down on illegal immigration. However, critics argue that the operation is inhumane and will only serve to further divide communities and instill fear among immigrant populations.
As the raids loom, immigrants in Chicago and other US cities are standing together in solidarity, advocating for their rights and fighting against the oppressive tactics of the current administration. The fight for immigrant rights continues, and the resilience of these communities remains unwavering in the face of adversity.
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- Immigrants in Chicago
- Deportation arrests
- Trump administration
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- US cities
- Homeland Security
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Chicago Mass Deportation Plan Thrown Into Doubt After Leak
President-elect Donald Trump‘s plans to launch a major immigration raid in Chicago next week are under review after details of the operation were leaked to the press, incoming border czar Tom Homan has said.
Newsweek has contacted the Trump transition team and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency for comment via email.
Why It Matters
Reports of a major immigration raid in Chicago suggest Trump’s key 2024 campaign pledge to launch the largest mass deportation of undocumented immigrants could begin immediately after he returns to office.
An U.S. ICE agent watches after Guatemalan police detained a suspected human trafficker on May 29, 2019 in Guatemala City. A federal immigration raid in Chicago is being reviewed after the plans were leaked to…
John Moore/Getty Images
What To Know
Federal immigration officers were reportedly planning a large-scale raid targeting approximately 300 people in Chicago, The Associated Press reported on Saturday, citing unnamed sources.
The New York Times reported the raids were planned to begin Tuesday, one day after Trump’s inauguration, and continue until the following Monday. According to the Wall Street Journal, U.S. ICE planned to deploy between 100 and 200 officers to carry out the operation.
The focus was on undocumented immigrants with criminal backgrounds. Some of those reportedly targeted have minor offenses, such as driving violations, which the outgoing Biden administration did not pursue.
Homan, the former acting director for U.S. ICE, told ABC News that the incoming administration is now “reviewing” whether to proceed with the Chicago operation following the leak.
A spokesperson for U.S. ICE told Newsweek that any information “concerning activities which may take place after the inauguration” must be referred to the incoming administration.
Trump hinted at the plans in an earlier interview with ABC News, describing the raids as a “priority” for his new administration.
Chicago is one of several so-called sanctuary cities in the U.S. that limit or deny cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Government officials in these cities, including Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, have vowed to defy Trump’s mass deportation plans.
What People Are Saying
Tom Homan, incoming border czar, said to ABC News on Saturday: “We’re reviewing any plans in Chicago because of the leak. When the president gets sworn in, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers are going to have a new priority of seeking out those who are considered a public safety threat and a national security threat.”
President-elect Donald Trump said to ABC News: “It’s a priority that we get the criminals out of our country. And it is for everybody else—it’s one of the reasons I won the election by such a big margin. And it is a priority.”
Brandon Lee, spokesperson for the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, said to The AP: “The reality is that, I think there has been a level of fear since Election Day. We were always operating as if Trump was going to target Chicago and Illinois early in his administration.”
Chicago Police Department said in a statement to ABC 7: “The Chicago Police Department enforces the City of Chicago’s Municipal Code, which includes the Welcoming City Ordinance. CPD does not document immigration status, and in accordance with the ordinance, does not share information with federal immigration authorities. We will not intervene or interfere with any other government agencies performing their duties.”
What Happens Next
Trump will be sworn in as president on Monday, January 20. It remains unclear whether the mass immigration raids will proceed in Chicago or any other U.S. city early next week.
In a shocking turn of events, the Chicago mass deportation plan has been thrown into doubt after a leak revealed details of the controversial operation. The plan, which aimed to deport thousands of undocumented immigrants from the city, has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation.The leaked documents reveal that the operation was set to target individuals with minor offenses or no criminal record at all. This has raised concerns about the indiscriminate nature of the deportations and the impact it would have on families and communities.
Critics of the plan have called for its immediate suspension, citing violations of human rights and due process. They argue that the mass deportation of immigrants only serves to further divide communities and create fear and instability.
The leak has also raised questions about the transparency and accountability of the government’s immigration policies. Many are calling for a more humane and compassionate approach to dealing with the issue of undocumented immigrants, rather than resorting to mass deportations.
As the debate rages on, it remains to be seen what the future holds for the Chicago mass deportation plan. Will it be implemented as planned, or will the leak cause a reevaluation of the government’s approach to immigration enforcement? Only time will tell.
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Chicago Mass Deportation, Deportation Plan, Chicago Immigration, Chicago News, Immigration Policy, Leak, Chicago Politics, Immigration Reform, Chicago Government, Chicago Mayor
#Chicago #Mass #Deportation #Plan #Thrown #Doubt #LeakTrump’s Deportation Plan Is Said to Start Next Week in Chicago
The incoming Trump administration intends to carry out “post-inauguration” immigration raids in Chicago next week, according to two people familiar with the planning and correspondence reviewed by The New York Times, an opening step in President-elect Donald J. Trump’s goal to oversee the largest deportation operation in American history.
The plan, called “Operation Safeguard” by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, would start on Tuesday, the day after Mr. Trump is inaugurated, and last until the following Monday, according to the people familiar with it and the correspondence. The dates were still being finalized, however, and could change.
The size of the planned operation was unclear. ICE routinely conducts deportations in cities throughout the United States. But the agency was taking additional steps to ramp up enforcement for the operation and tied it to Mr. Trump’s inauguration in a message sent to personnel throughout the agency.
Hundreds of agents were asked to volunteer and participate in the “post-inauguration” operation targeting immigrants in the United States illegally. ICE is planning on sending roughly 150 agents to Chicago for the raids.
For Mr. Trump, the optics of immigration agents sporting ballistic gear and arresting immigrants with uncertain or contested status in a Democratic-led city could be enough. The incoming administration is eager to find ways to send a message that it is cracking down on undocumented immigrants and punishing so-called sanctuary cities — communities like Chicago that refuse to hand over immigrants detained by the police to federal immigration authorities.
Don Terry, a spokesman for the Chicago police, said the department would not “intervene or interfere with any other government agencies performing their duties,” but said that it “does not document immigration status” and “will not share information with federal immigration authorities.”
The planned raids were reported earlier by The Wall Street Journal.
Tom Homan, Mr. Trump’s pick to oversee his promised mass deportations, has said the public should expect immigration action in the early days of the Trump presidency that creates “shock and awe.”
Mr. Trump has promised to carry out mass deportations that would target millions of unauthorized immigrants in the United States. Mr. Homan has said the administration will not hesitate to deport parents who are in the country illegally but have U.S.-born children.
Mr. Trump’s team also plans to reassign other federal agents and deputize local police officers and members of the National Guard voluntarily contributed by Republican-run states to help with the deportation efforts.
Mr. Homan has tried to draw attention to the so-called sanctuary cities. In November, he suggested that he would ramp up the number of federal immigration officers in those areas.
“New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, the major cities in this country are still sanctuary cities,” Mr. Homan said then, adding, “If they’re not going to help us, then we’ll just double the manpower in those cities.”
But plans to deport millions of undocumented immigrants are still likely to face enormous financial and logistical hurdles. In recent weeks, Mr. Trump and his immigration officials have said their immigration operation would first target those with a criminal record.
Mr. Trump often threatened nationwide deportation raids when he was last in the White House, shocking many of his ICE officials. He achieved mixed results.
In 2019, Mr. Trump promoted a blitz-like effort to target roughly 2,000 migrants who were in the United States illegally as a show of force against migration. Just 35 people were detained in the operation.
In 2019, ICE removed more than 267,000 people — the highest annual total during the Trump administration. That pales in comparison to the high mark that occurred under President Barack Obama, who deported more than 400,000 people in one year.
Julie Bosman contributed reporting.
As tensions rise over immigration policies, it has been reported that President Trump’s deportation plan is set to begin next week in Chicago. This plan, which has been met with controversy and criticism, aims to target undocumented immigrants who have criminal records.Critics of the plan argue that it will only serve to further divide communities and instill fear among immigrant populations. They also point out the potential negative economic impact that mass deportations could have on local businesses and industries.
Supporters of the plan, on the other hand, argue that it is necessary to uphold the rule of law and protect American citizens from potential threats posed by criminal undocumented immigrants.
As the deportation plan is set to kick off in Chicago next week, the city is bracing for potential protests and backlash from immigrant rights groups and activists. The situation is sure to continue to escalate as the Trump administration moves forward with its immigration enforcement agenda. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
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- Chicago immigration crackdown
- ICE raids in Chicago
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#Trumps #Deportation #Plan #Start #Week #Chicago
Trump’s ‘border czar’ says family detention centers could play role in deportation effort
President-elect Donald Trump’s “border czar” said Thursday that the use of family detention centers for migrants is “on the table,” raising the possibility that the practice ended by the Biden administration could return as early as next year.
“It’s something we’re considering,” Tom Homan, who was acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement during the first Trump administration, said in an interview.
“Look, we’ve got to end catch-and-release — and that includes family units, too,” he added, using a phrase sometimes used to describe migrants’ being released from detention while they await immigration court proceedings.
ICE stopped detaining families who enter the country illegally with their children not long after President Joe Biden took office, though administration officials last year considered reviving the practice.
Homan, whom Trump announced as his border czar on Nov. 10, less than a week after he won a second term, said plans are still being discussed.
He said that if the Trump administration chooses to go with family detention, “we’re going to try and surge immigration judges to these locations.”
Tom Homan at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest in Phoenix on Sunday. Josh Edelson / AFP – Getty Images During the first Trump administration, Homan backed the “zero tolerance” policy that sparked bipartisan outcry. The policy allowed young children to be separated from their parents.
Homan said Thursday that he does not foresee migrant children being separated from their parents on a large scale in Trump’s deportation effort.
“I don’t envision that at all,” he said.
A federal court ruling known as the Flores Settlement Agreement limits the time migrant children can be held in detention to 20 days.
Homan said Thursday that he is in favor of challenging that legal framework, which would complicate using any family detention centers.
“We’re looking at what the law currently says, but then again I think we need to litigate some of the decisions,” he said. “I think the Flores Settlement Agreement is something that was a wrong decision.
“Right now, we know what the rules say. And this is something that we’ll work within until we get another decision or a better decision from the courts,” he said.
Homan said the number of detention facilities would depend on the data. At the start of the Biden administration, ICE operated three facilities.
“I’ve got to get the data, which we’re now getting access to, to find out how many do we need,” Homan said. “And again, based on the data, how are we going to do it.”
He said detention facilities would be not jails but “open-air campuses” designed for families.
Homan suggested that the Trump administration would not consider whether people who are in the country without authorization have children who are U.S. citizens.
He said parents who lose their immigration cases “are going to have to make a decision what you want to do: You can either take your child with you or leave the child here in the United States with a relative.”
Homan also criticized local governments, like San Diego County and Los Angeles, that have taken steps they say will protect undocumented immigrants, and which prevent or restrict local resources available to federal immigration authorities.
“We’re going to do this operation, with or without,” Homan said of the deportation plan. “If they want to sit back and watch — disappointing, but we’re going to do it.”
Lee Gelernt, an American Civil Liberties Union lawyer who headed lawsuits to reunite migrant children during Trump’s first term, said the ACLU is prepared to challenge any aspects of the deportation plan they see as unconstitutional.
“We have challenged family detention in the past. We’ll have to see what they actually do,” Gelernt told NBC News on Thursday. “But I’m hopeful the American public will not want little children spending days, weeks, potentially months, in a detention center.”
Gelernt said a court order prohibits the government from directly taking children away from their parents, but Homan’s comments suggest the new administration plans to go after families by indirect means, by forcing parents to make awful decisions about whether to leave their children in the U.S.
“We would have thought they would have learned the lesson the first time around — that even if the public wants the immigration laws changed, they don’t want children and families to be targeted,” he said.
Trump campaigned on a pledge to deport people who are in the country without authorization. Details of his plan have not been made clear; he has said his administration will start with those who have committed crimes.
On the campaign trail, he referred to migrants as an “invasion.” Some Republicans have tried to tone down Trump’s threats of mass deportations after his election victory.
In a recent statement, President Trump’s newly appointed ‘border czar’ has suggested that family detention centers could play a crucial role in the administration’s deportation efforts. This controversial stance raises concerns about the treatment of migrant families and the potential separation of children from their parents.The idea of using family detention centers as a tool for deportation has been met with backlash from critics who argue that it is inhumane and goes against the principles of family unity. The Trump administration has faced widespread criticism for its handling of immigration policies, particularly its practice of separating families at the border.
As the debate over immigration continues to intensify, the role of family detention centers in the deportation process remains a contentious issue. It is important for policymakers to consider the welfare of migrant families and ensure that their rights are protected throughout the immigration process.
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- Trump administration
- Border czar
- Family detention centers
- Deportation efforts
- Immigration policy
- Trump’s border policies
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- Deportation strategy
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