CHICAGO (AP) – The Department of Homeland Security trumpeted the launch of a new immigration operation in Chicago on Monday, bringing fresh excitement Confusion and anxiety As the city continues to be wary Federal intervention President Donald Trump has been promoting it for days.
The so-called explosion Sanctuary Law In Chicago and Illinois, the latest efforts target people without legal permission living in the United States with criminal history. Like other Trump administration plans, it A flashy name“Operation Midway Blitz” is circulating on social media with mug shots of 11 foreign-born men.
“This ice operation will target illegal criminal aliens flocking to Chicago and Illinois as Governor (JB) Pretzker and his sanctuary policies protected them and allowed them to roam freely on American streets,” a statement from the DHS said.
Pretz Carwho is locked Before and after Trump and I criticized the move for days. He and Mayor Brandon Johnson have it I defended State and city A wide range Sanctuary Act prohibiting coordination between local police and immigration agents. They accused the Trump administration of using horrifying tactics. Latinx residents It is the third largest city in the country.
“Again, this is not about fighting crime. It requires support and coordination. But we have not experienced anything like that over the past few weeks,” Pretzker said in a statement. “The Trump administration has focused on scaring Illinois people instead of taking steps to work together with us to cooperate with public safety.”
Chicago is like that Brace An influx of immigration agents, and possibly National Guard Two weeks. Outside the suburbs, many protests have appeared downtown Military Base DHS is used, Immigration Processing Centre It is expected to become a hub for activities.
Trump deployed the National Guard Los Angeles Over the summer and as part of his unprecedented law enforcement agency. take over In Washington, DC, he has direct legal control. Due to federal intervention in Los Angeles, the judge was considered a National Guard deployment illegalBut the Trump administration I won It is linked to immigration enforcement when the U.S. Supreme Court lifts a restraining order that prohibits people from stopping them based solely on race, language, work, or location.
Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, a second Democrat in the Senate, rejected the latest business announced in Chicago.
“These actions do not make us safer,” he said in a statement. “They are a waste of money, representing another failed attempt to blow fear and distract them.”
It remains unclear what role the program announced Monday will play in the Chicago Surge.
In addition to the confusion, there were a small number of immigrant arrests over the weekend in Chicago. This promotes the city’s network of voice activists and worries that it is the beginning of something bigger.
“This is terrorizing our community,” said Jeylú Gutiérrez, a member of the Chicago City Council. “But we are not threatened.”
She and an immigration rights activist said the five arrested were “beloved community members.” Some were on their way to work when they were arrested on Sunday. The other acts as a flower vendor.
US immigration and customs enforcement confirmed the arrests of four, but submitted sparse information and highlighted criminal history of previous arrests and one convicted of driving under the influence.
“ICE was always operating in Chicago,” the agency said in a statement. “We will continue our law enforcement and public safety missions to work with federal partners to spike ice resources in the city.”
The DHS said the operation announced Monday pays tribute to Katie Abram, one of two Illinois women killed in a fatal car accident in January. The big ju judge charged a 29-year-old man with hit and run. Guatemalans also face false identification crimes from the federal government.
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Associated Press Writer Christine Fernando contributed to this report.
