By: Ashmar Mandou

Immigrant rights leaders and community activists gathered Monday morning in downtown Chicago to condemn President Trump’s latest immigration policies. As a proud immigrant and representative of one of the most diverse immigrant districts in the country, it is both heart-wrenching and infuriating to see families being ripped apart by a cruel immigration system with outdated, draconian laws. In the wake of increased federal immigration raids across the Chicagoland region and the country, we must remind every community member that they have rights, regardless of status,” said Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García.

The event was organized by members of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), along with SEIU, Equity and Transformation (EAT), and several community-based organizations. “Recent ICE raids have been conducted through manipulative and disingenuous tactics.  Last week in Chicago, members of the community showed up in good faith for their scheduled immigration appointments only to be arrested by federal agents. This is wrong and inhumane. These arrests undermine the right to justice and due process allotted to every individual, regardless of immigration status. ICE raids traumatize entire communities, tear children away from their parents and strip families of their providers,” said State Senator Karina Villa

Organizers said Trump’s campaign rhetoric and policy proposals, attacks on sanctuary policies and the criminalization of labor leaders—represent a growing threat to immigrant families and communities. Over the past week, ICE detained people during check-ins right here in Chicago, a new travel ban disproportionately targeting Black and Brown immigrants went into effect early this morning, an SEIU local leader in LA was jailed after standing up for his community, and the Trump administration continues to carry out mass enforcement to meet racist deportation quotas, in blatant violation of people’s rights.

“These actions by Trump are part of a broader strategy — using fear and violence to push an authoritarian, anti-immigrant agenda while advancing tax cuts for billionaires and stripping working families of healthcare and basic support,” said a member of ICIRR.

On Monday’s rally, ICIIR and their partners urged federal officials to end ICE arrests at check-ins, courts, and community spaces, hold federal and local agencies accountable for unlawful detentions, immediately release California SEIU leader David Huerta, uphold welcoming policies in Illinois — including calling on the Illinois Attorney General to investigate potential TRUST Act violations, investigate ICE abuses and release data on raids and removals, and ensure protections and support for impacted families. If you or a loved one is concerned about potential ICE enforcement actions, community leaders urge

● Create a Family Safety Plan: Make sure your family has an emergency plan, and print out the “Know Your Rights” card. You find bilingual templates for these resources at trpimmigrantjustice.org/resourcehub#KYR

● Report ICE Activity: If you witness or experience an ICE raid, report it immediately to the ICIRR Family Support Hotline at (855) 435-7693.

Photo Credit: Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
Photo Caption: Community leaders rally on Monday in downtown Chicago to protest ICE raids occurring from coast to coast.