Chicago prepares businesses for potential ICE raids under Trump
CHICAGO - Concerns about workplace ICE raids are prompting proactive measures in Chicago.
On Thursday, the Old Town Merchants & Residents Association hosted a two-hour seminar to help business owners and workers prepare for potential visits from federal immigration officers.
What we know:
The seminar, led by three local attorneys, focused on educating employers about their legal responsibilities, such as verifying employees’ identities and work authorizations through I-9 forms. They also covered how to interact with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers if they show up at a workplace.
Lawyers advised employers to designate a specific point person to speak with ICE agents, should they visit their business. They also suggest the point person requests identification from the federal immigration officer, along with a court-issued warrant if necessary.
"Everybody needs to know that when a government official comes, they don’t have the right to do just whatever they want. They don’t have the right to enter private areas of employment; they do have the right to enter public areas and question anybody there," said Scott D. Pollock, founding partner of Scott D. Pollock & Associates, P.C. "If they want access to private areas of an employer’s premises, they either can only do that if the employer consents or if they have a judicial warrant signed by a judge."
Pollock explains that there is a difference between judicial warrants and agency warrants. An agency warrant may be used by an officer to arrest an individual they believe is removable from the United States.
If a federal immigration officer presents a judicial warrant, employers should check that the correct address is listed, and review what areas and items ICE is authorized to search.
During the seminar, Pollock was joined by Kevin L. Dixler, of the Law Office of Kevin L. Dixler, and Caroline Shoenberger, of the Shoenberger Public Interest Law Foundation.
There, business owners were also reminded that workers have the right to remain silent. Additionally, employers have the right to record ICE agents’ actions.
The attorneys who led the seminar said employers and workers should not obstruct ICE agents, and should not run—rather, stay calm.
If federal immigration officers audit a business, Pollock said the employer should be granted a minimum of three days to provide the requested materials.
Additionally, the session warned employers about potential fines for knowingly hiring and retaining unauthorized noncitizens, which could ultimately reach tens of thousands of dollars.
What we don't know:
It is unclear how widespread ICE workplace raids might become under Trump’s administration or whether specific industries and locations will be targeted.
What's next:
Similar educational initiatives could gain traction in other Chicago neighborhoods.
The Old Town Merchants & Residents Association plans to publish resources from the business seminar on its website.
Meantime, employers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Handbook for Employers M-274.