CHICAGO (WLS) — The Trump administration characterizes a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement mission as a targeted operation against serious offenders. However, immigrant advocates argue that it appears to be a broader assault on the immigrant community. Nevertheless, a scheduled parade this weekend will continue as planned.
“We observed that our phones were particularly busy on Monday and Tuesday, with Monday marking our most hectic day since January,” mentioned Andre Gordillo from the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.
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Team members at the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights have been preparing for the expected arrival of ICE agents in Chicago this week. They’ve distributed information cards as supporters rally to help ensure the safety of families.
“What he’s trying to sow is divide, but he’s actually sowed unity in our great city,” 22nd Ward Alderman Michael Rodriguez said.
ABC News was allowed to witness one of the initial operations, featuring collaboration between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and ICE. Many heavily armed officers gathered in a secret location to pursue suspected members of the Tren de Aragua gang, accused of firearms trafficking.
ABC News Chief Justice Correspondent Pierre Thomas along with ICE agents as they made arrests on the West Side on Tuesday.
“Numerous firearms can be traced back to extremely violent incidents in Chicago, including homicides, carjackings, and aggravated assaults,” stated Jonathan Maniff, the ATF special agent in charge.
Those participating in the operation requested ABC7 Chicago to obscure their identities since many operate undercover. ABC7 also concealed the faces of those apprehended because they have not yet been formally charged.
So far, ICE and ATF agents have arrested three people they say they suspect to be gang members. Alderman Rodriquez says it’s only motivated unity against the Trump administration in the city, especially with the upcoming Mexican Independence Day Parade.
“It’ll be a great show of force of unity in our city, and it’ll be a message back to Donald Trump: We will not hide,” Alderman Rodriguez said.
READ MORE | Chicago federal intervention: Tracking surge in immigration enforcement operations | Live updates
Alderman Rodriquez said faith leaders from all around Chicago are bringing their entire congregations of volunteers to help them with the parade on Sunday.
However, some in Little Village are on edge.
There is a feeling that the neighborhood has a target on its back.
Parade organizers said those who might be vulnerable should stay home, even though the scene is set for Sunday’s parade.
“If by them staying home it means that they are safe, we are more than happy for that. Our parade is televised. So people can tune in and watch from home. They can stream online and I think that’s what we’re recommending,” said Jennifer Aguilar, with the Little Village Chamber of Commerce.
For those who do show, the Little Village Chamber of Commerce, along with several advocacy groups, will be handing out “know your rights cards” in English and Spanish.
“There’s a perforation here that allows you to cut it and put it in your wallet. So that if you encounter an officer, you can just hand this card over, and it explains that you know your rights. And there is also a space to write your attorney’s phone number, so they can call your attorney,” Aguilar said.
In Little Village, flag vendor Carlos Garcia showed off the whistle he was given by immigration advocates to sound the alarm if ICE shows up, while also wondering if business will pick up before Sunday.
“We’re scared. People are to afraid to go out. We haven’t sold anything,” Garcia said in Spanish.
Wednesday, the Department of Homeland Security said they have arrested suspects accused of sexually assaulting a child family member, rape, armed robbery and domestic battery.
“In just the last few days in Chicago, ICE has arrested pedophiles, rapists, abusers, armed robbers, and other violent thugs. These are the criminal illegal aliens Governor Pritzker, Mayor Johnson, and their fellow sanctuary politicians protect over the law-abiding American citizens,” Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said. “These criminal illegal aliens flocked to Illinois because sanctuary policies allow them to roam free and terrorize innocent Americans without consequence. President Trump and Secretary Noem have a clear message: no city is a safe haven for criminal illegal aliens. If you come to our country illegally and break our laws, we will hunt you down, arrest you, deport you, and you will never return.”
In Bensenville Wednesday, Attorney General Pam Bondi said, “We have a government here who doesn’t want to cooperate with President Trump. He wants to help this city and clean up Chicago and its suburbs.”
Meanwhile at McCormick place Wednesday, Gov. JB Pritzker said he expects immigration enforcement operations will ramp up at some point.
“They clearly have not gone out in full force yet here with seemingly the number of people from ICE they intended to have on the ground, but I anticipate that we will,” Pritzker said.
While there isn’t much that can be done to stop any immigration enforcement operations from taking place during the parade, organizers say they are partnering with several community groups to act as lookouts on Sunday, so people can be alerted to any ICE activity in the neighborhood.
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