The Rev. Homero Sanchez said he didnB次元官网网址檛 realize the depth of fear in the Chicago immigrant community he serves until someone asked him to handle the sale of their familyB次元官网网址檚 home and other finances if they when President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
Immigrants in large cities have been since Trump won election in November, but reports that his initial push would be in the Chicago area has brought a new sense of urgency and fear.
B次元官网网址淭hey feel they have been targeted for who they are. They feel like theyB次元官网网址檙e reviving this fear they had ,B次元官网网址� said Sanchez of St. Rita of Cascia Parish on ChicagoB次元官网网址檚 South Side. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e feeling like something is going to happen. This is not their city because of the threat.B次元官网网址�
Sanchez, whose congregation has consisted mostly of people of Mexican descent since the 1980s, devoted Sunday Mass B次元官网网址渢o solidarity with our immigrant brothers and sisters.B次元官网网址�
Some immigrants in the country without legal status have been designating power of attorney to trusted friends, making plans for childcare in case of separations and installing security cameras on their doors in case immigration agents come. Others have as Trump aides have encouraged them to do.
Plans for deportation arrests are in flux, but federal immigration officers will target more than 300 people with histories of egregious, violent crimes after Trump takes office Monday, one official said Saturday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the plans have not been made public.
The operation will be concentrated in the Chicago area and continue all week, subject to potential weather delays, the official said. Temperatures in Chicago dipped to 6 degrees Fahrenheit (-14.4 degrees Celsius) with throughout the week.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests a fraction of its targets though Trump is expected to cast a wider net than President Joe Biden, whose focus on picking up people away from the border was largely limited to those with serious criminal histories or who pose a risk to national security. BidenB次元官网网址檚 administration also ended the practice of , which were common under Trump, including a 2019 operation chicken plants.
Trump aides have said they will arrest others, such as spouses or roommates, who are not targets but happen to be in the country illegally.
Trump told NBC B次元官网网址 on Saturday that mass deportations remain a top priority. He didnB次元官网网址檛 give an exact date or city where theyB次元官网网址檒l start, but he said they would begin soon.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檒l begin very early, very quickly,B次元官网网址� he said, adding: B次元官网网址淚 canB次元官网网址檛 say which cities because things are evolving. And I donB次元官网网址檛 think we want to say what city. YouB次元官网网址檒l see it firsthand.B次元官网网址�
, which limit how local police can cooperate with federal immigration agents, have been one of TrumpB次元官网网址檚 favorite targets B次元官网网址� especially Chicago.
The nationB次元官网网址檚 third-largest city became a so-called sanctuary city in the 1980s and has multiple times since, including after Trump first took office in 2017. Last week, the City Council heartily rejected a longshot plan calling for exceptions allowing local police to work with ICE agents on deportation cases for people accused or convicted of crimes.
TrumpB次元官网网址檚 incoming so-called B次元官网网址渂order czarB次元官网网址� Tom Homan blasted top Democratic leaders in the state during a visit to the Chicago area last month where he indicated enforcement would start there. But in recent days he told media outlets that plans were evolving.
Homan told Fox B次元官网网址 Sunday that Chicago was still on the table but that the new administration was B次元官网网址渞econsidering when and how we do it.B次元官网网址�
An ICE spokesperson referred questions Sunday to the Trump transition team, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The plan was reported earlier by The Wall Street Journal, which said the operation is expected to begin Tuesday.
Community and religious leaders in Chicago said they were disappointed with the potential operation, but ready.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said Sunday on X that his B次元官网网址渃ommitment to protecting and supporting this city remains unwavering.B次元官网网址�
Cardinal Blase Cupich, who leads the Archdiocese of Chicago, spoke out as well.
B次元官网网址淭he reports being circulated of planned mass deportations targeting the Chicago area are not only profoundly disturbing but also wound us deeply,B次元官网网址� Cupich said Sunday during a visit to Mexico City, according to a copy of his prepared remarks. B次元官网网址淲e are proud of our legacy of immigration that continues in our day to renew the city we love.B次元官网网址�
Immigrant rights advocates in Chicago rallied Saturday, including Democratic U.S. Reps. Jesus B次元官网网址淐huyB次元官网网址� Garcia and Delia Ramirez. They urged immigrants in Chicago to remain calm and exercise their rights, particularly to remain silent and refuse to allow officers into their homes without warrants. Some advocacy groups have planned legal workshops anticipating mass arrests next week.
Ramirez planned to skip MondayB次元官网网址檚 inauguration to post flyers in immigrant-heavy Chicago neighborhoods with information on what to do in case of an encounter with immigration agents.
B次元官网网址淲e wonB次元官网网址檛 let our guard down in Chicago,B次元官网网址� Garcia wrote on X.
Carlos, an immigrant from Mexico, has lived in the Chicago area for decades. The 56-year-old doesnB次元官网网址檛 have legal status to stay in the country but has work authorization in construction and welding. He declined to give his last name and discuss details of his immigration status for fear of being targeted for deportation.
He has three children who have legal status to stay in the country through the Obama-era , or DACA, which remains in .
Carlos said the familyB次元官网网址檚 contingency planning for deportation includes finding someone to manage their bank accounts, home and car. TheyB次元官网网址檝e also installed a camera on their suburban Chicago home and plan to screen all visitors.
B次元官网网址淚f people come to the house, donB次元官网网址檛 open the door,B次元官网网址� he explained. B次元官网网址淎sk who it is. DonB次元官网网址檛 open it unless they have an order.B次元官网网址�
