Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson defends city’s sanctuary status amid ICE raids

CHICAGO - Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is doubling down on his criticism of the targeted ICE detention raids being conducted in Chicago, calling them nothing more than fearmongering by the Trump Administration.

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In his first news conference since the raids started over the weekend, Johnson struck a defiant tone.

"This desire to popularize fear is unconscionable and abhorrent. There's no other way to describe it," he said.

Johnson, along with his department heads, blasted the raids as an attempt by the Trump Administration to instill fear in working-class immigrant communities.

However, Johnson stated that it won't prompt Chicago to change its status as a sanctuary city. 

"I'm standing with the full force of government today to demonstrate that Chicago is a welcoming city," Johnson said. "Regardless of who's in the White House, Chicago is a city that opens its arms to people from around the globe."

Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling said he believes more than 100 people have been arrested since the federal operation started on Saturday.

Johnson said most of those taken into custody had outstanding warrants or criminal backgrounds. But he said the fear the raids have instilled needs to stop.

"We're hearing that children aren't going to school. People aren't going to work," Snelling said. "There's a level of fear out there that we have to bring down. And as authorities, we have a responsibility to be that calming voice."

What we don't know:

Johnson did not confirm whether he will comply with a request to testify before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which is planning hearings on sanctuary city policies.

"It would be premature to talk about going until such time we've properly digested all the legal issues as well as the other substantive aspects of the communication from the oversight committee," said Chicago Corporation Counsel Mary Richardson-Lowry.

The mayor’s office has not provided additional details about the nature of arrests or future measures the city may take to address the raids' impact on local communities.

What's next:

Johnson’s administration plans to continue supporting immigrant communities and mitigating the fear caused by the raids.