Possible deportation raids in Chicago: Officials urge vigilance; Trump’s team reportedly reconsiders plans

Immigration advocates and elected officials in Chicago are urging vigilance and resilience among immigrant communities following reports of the city being the target of deportation raids by the incoming Trump administration in the coming days.

Possible deportation raids

Officials push vigilance:

U.S. Reps. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia and Delia Ramirez, Democrats who both represent parts of Chicago, were among the elected officials trying to sound the alarm at a press conference on Saturday morning, responding to the reported plans for raids.

"We were the first in the country to declare ourselves a welcoming city. It's a tradition other states have emulated," said Garcia.

Last month, the city reported 2,476 migrants in six active shelters. Chicago has also received 51,649 new arrivals since the mission began. The majority are of Venezuelan decent. 

Up to 200 immigration officers are expected to arrive in Chicago on Tuesday morning with deportation raids potentially lasting all week, The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.

During the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump promised he would employ mass deportations around the country once he retakes office.

The WSJ also reported that raids could take place in other major cities like New York, Miami, Denver and Los Angeles.

Immigration advocates said oftentimes, ICE begins their operations in the morning, catching people as they head to work or school.

Chicago leaders said it's not clear how, when or where the migrants might be detained.

Plans may be reconsidered:

According to a report from the Washington Post on Saturday, Trump's "border czar" Tom Homan said in an interview that the administration is reevaluating plans for the Chicago raids after preliminary details were leaked.

Homan told the Post that no decision has been made yet and that the administration will base its decision on the leak.

"We’re looking at this leak and will make a decision based on this leak," Homan said in the interview. "It’s unfortunate because anyone leaking law enforcement operations puts officers at greater risk."

He also expressed uncertainty over why Chicago became a focal point, noting that the administration's goals are far broader. You can read the report here

‘We have rights’

Local perspective:

Garcia and Ramirez have rebuked Trump’s proposals and rhetoric around immigration and urged calm among Chicago residents who are undocumented, reminding them of their legal rights if confronted by an immigration officer.

"Regardless of your legal status, you have rights," Ramirez said. "For those that you love, that you are worried about in this moment, what will happen on Monday, what will happen on Tuesday, you tell them that they have a right to remain silent. You tell them they have a right to deny entry to any ICE agent to their home and to demand a warrant."

Garcia said it didn’t surprise him that Chicago would be a top target of the Trump administration, especially after the city’s longtime policy of limiting local police from cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Municipalities with such policies are often referred to as "sanctuary cities," a designation derided by many conservatives.

The congressman also referenced a speech last month by Homan, who came to Chicago and criticized state and local officials and warned of mass deportations.

"Let’s not forget that all of that rhetoric is meant to intimidate, to vilify and to drive us into the shadows, which we must not do," Garcia said.

The issue was also taken up at last Wednesday’s Chicago City Council meeting, when a proposal to expand the Chicago Police Department’s ability to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement was decisively shot down by aldermen.

Local Leaders Respond:

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker issued a statement late Saturday morning on the deportation raids, shared below: 

"Every family and child deserves to feel safe and secure in the place they call home. Every resident of Illinois should know their rights. I intend to protect those rights and ensure our state laws are followed," Pritzker said. 

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson issued a statement on Twitter Sunday in relation to the possible raids. 

"Chicago stands strong: regardless of the circumstances, our commitment to protecting and supporting this city remains unwavering. We will continue to fight for the justice and safety of all who call this place home," Johnson said. 

What you can do:

Organizers from The Resurrection Project, a nonprofit based in Chicago, said they would begin to hold workshops in the coming weeks to help undocumented immigrant residents and their families connect to resources and attorneys.

They shared the number for an immigration hotline that those affected by potential raids could call: 855-435-7693. For more information, visit resurrectionproject.org.

What's next:

On Monday, Ramirez will join other leaders in Chicago's Avondale neighborhood for a "Know Your Rights" immigration canvassing event, taking place at the Belmont Blue Line station at 7:30 a.m. 

NewsChicagoImmigrationDonald J. TrumpJ.B. Pritzker