CHICAGO (WLS) — The countdown is on to a surge in immigration enforcement in the Chicago area.
The ABC7 Chicago I-Team reported Thursday that temporary fencing will be set up around the Everett McKinley Dirksen Courthouse to facilitate safe access for those needing to visit the courthouse.
Individuals involved in deportation proceedings will not appear before a judge in the Northern District of Illinois, as these are administrative, not judicial, matters.
Chief Judge Virginia Kendall emphasized that ensuring access to justice is fundamental to the Court’s mission and crucial to democracy. The U.S. Marshals Service is tasked with ensuring the safety at the Dirksen Courthouse, working to secure those seeking the Court’s assistance. Upholding access to the courthouse for those seeking redress is a priority, reflecting a key principle that supports the rule of law.
Mexican Independence Day celebrations scheduled in Chicago are still scheduled to happen.
Chicago police announced that “regular days off will be canceled and tours of duty extended for sworn members” from Sept. 12 to Sept. 16.
“These cancellations were also applied in 2023 and 2024 during Mexican Independence Day celebrations and are unrelated to any federal deployments,” a CPD spokesperson confirmed.
The second annual “El Grito Festival” will take place in Grant Park on September 13 and 14th.
READ ALSO | Pilsen Mexican Independence Day parade announced despite immigration crackdown
The impact of hundreds of federal immigration agents arriving in Chicago is reaching far beyond the city.
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Dulce Ortiz, executive director of Mano A Mano, remarked, “When there’s significant ICE activity, people avoid going to work and stop sending their children to school, which we want to prevent. Nonetheless, we recognize there is fear.”
Ortiz the executive director of Mano A Mano and Board President of Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights laying out how many in Lake County are feeling right now just days before reported immigrant enforcement operations are set to begin.
“Yes, there may be hundreds of agents deployed in our area, but there are thousands of people working to make sure our community members our protected,” Ortiz said.
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Gov. JB Pritzker says expanded ICE operations will start on Saturday just as Mexican Independence Day celebrations begin.
Both Waukegan and North Chicago have canceled festivities in light of the recent federal activity.
North Chicago Mayor Leon Rockingham Jr. said offices are set up at Naval Station Great Lakes for the some 300 immigration agents who are supposed to deploy to Chicago each day.
“That doesn’t make Lake County feel safe knowing that they are here,” Mayor Rockingham said. “Why wouldn’t they at some point be deployed to Lake County? We have Round Lake, have Mundelein, we have other areas that have heavy Latino populations; so, I think all of Lake County should be concerned.”
West suburban Broadview is boarding up a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center there that the mayor says will be used as the primary processing center for at least the next 45 days.
In a statement to community members, Broadview’s Mayor Katrina Thompson writes, “As your Mayor, I want to assure you that the Village is actively monitoring the situation and responding with urgency. We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available. Our priority is to maintain transparency, protect the interests of our residents, and ensure the vitality of our business community.”
Broadview Village Administrator LeTisa L. Jones said in a statement, “The Village of Broadview is coordinating with our neighboring law enforcement partners, the Illinois State Police, and the Cook County Sheriff’s Police to ensure safety and order are maintained in our community as ICE’s operations unfold. Additionally, because Broadview respects the rule of law, we will defend the constitutionally protected right to peaceful protest and will accept no interference with that right. Simultaneously, we will reject any illegal behavior that puts Broadview police officers’ safety or the safety of local businesses and residents at risk.”
Trump Administration Border Czar Tom Homan says the imminent immigration mission in Chicago should come as no surprise.
“We are going to flood the zone,” Homan said. “We’ve got 10,000 more agents coming on. We’re going to flood the zone. We don’t have a problem in Florida or Texas. So, where are we going to send our additional resources? To sanctuary cities. Why? Because we know there is a problem there.”
Pritzker made it clear there is nothing the state can do as these operations get underway in just a few days.
“We cannot stand in the way,” Pritzker said. “It’s not like we’re going to have armed men standing in between. That’s not something that’s legal. That’s not something that the state of Illinois can engage in, or the city of Chicago can engage in.”
It’s still unclear if the National Guard will be deployed to Chicago, but if they are, officials say they would protect federal property like Naval Station Great Lakes.
Beatriz Ponce de Leon, from the city’s Office of Immigrant, Migrant, and Refugee Rights joins ABC7 Thursday.
Meanwhile, in preparation for increased federal immigration enforcement, the city of Chicago has an updated website and information hub led by the Office of Immigrant, Migrant, and Refugee Rights (IMRR). It will highlight services and protections for the city’s immigrant and refugee communities.
Chicago area Latino leaders respond to expected ICE surge
While some Latino leaders are encouraging peaceful protest in response to the expanded immigration enforcement, some organizers of Mexican Independence Day celebrations are taking precautions or postponing their events all together.
So far, the Mexican Independence Day celebrations scheduled for this weekend in Chicago will happen, but with precautions.
The looming ICE operations have sparked fear.
Organizers of other events are erring on the side of caution and delaying their gatherings. That’s the reason why the organizers of the Fiestas Patrias Parade and Festival in north suburban Waukegan is being postponed.
The nearly 30-year old event, which is the largest of its kind in the state, was set for Sept. 14, but has now been rescheduled for November.
Meanwhile, community violence intervention volunteers are helping to train neighborhood residents and others who plan on pushing back against the trump administration by peacefully protesting.
“Our objective is not to frighten the community, but to let them know what’s the real deal, what’s the reality. They are here,” said Margaret Carrasco, Fiestas Patrias Parade and Festival organizer. “We do have 50,000 people that come out to our parades, and our number one priority is the safety of our residents, and we just had to make that call.”
Meanwhile, community violence intervention volunteers are helping to train people who plan on pushing back against the Trump administration by peacefully protesting.
Later Thursday, the Latino Leadership Council, along with others, are holding a new conference to talk about how they plan to empower and protect the community in light of more ICE raids.
CTU says Chicago Public Schools should offer remote learning
Chicago Teachers Union says Chicago Public Schools should consider offering remote learning for concerned families.
CTU President Stacey Davis Gates joined teachers and parents to outline a plan to protect the school community.
On Friday, CTU will host a “Sidewalk Solidarity Walk-ins” at schools across the city.
Members plan to distribute “Defend Your Rights” flyers to community members, particularly in Black and immigrant communities.
CPS has not responded to our request for a comment.
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