Chicago's immigrant communities brace for crackdowns : NPR
By: NPR
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
January 21, 20254:50 PM ET Heard on All Things Considered
By
Jasmine Garsd
,
Marisa Penaloza
Chicago braces for ICE crackdown
The last few days have been freezing cold in Chicago, even by local standards. In a neighborhood called Little Village people bundled up against the frigid air hurry past the bright Mexican murals. At a half empty restaurant on the main street, clips ofPresident Trump's inauguration ceremony are blasting over some ranchera music.
Every time someone opens the door, a waitress named Caridad looks up and braces. "I'm scared that it will be them," she says, referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
In his inauguration speech President Donald Trump promised to "begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came."
Border Czar Tom Homan told CNN on Tuesday deportation actions are already underway today - focusing on migrants who are considered a public safety threat. But he warned that all migrants without legal status could also be arrested and deported - especially those living in sanctuary jurisdictions like Chicago, where law enforcement is prohibited from cooperating with federal deportation actions.
Last year, Homan warned Democrats not to interfere. "Help us protect you," he said during a speech to Chicago Republicans. "If you don't, get the hell out of the way."
The possibility of mass deportations coming to Chicago has already sent immigrant neighborhoods in the city into a panic. Many in this community have been staying home for the last few days - and it's not just to avoid the bitter cold. The day before President Trump took office, Caridad says she went to the supermarket. It was packed with people stocking their shopping carts to the brim. "People have told me they've been buying enough groceries to stay indoors for some time and avoid immigration agents."
Little Village, or La Villita as its residents call it, is a historically Mexican immigrant community. "It is one of the largest commercial corridors here in the city, and the biggest Mexican community here in the Midwest," says Jennifer Aguilar, executive director of the Little Village Chamber of Commerce. "We have over a thousand businesses, over 100 restaurants." Her office overlooks some of them. Sparkling quinceanera shops, botanica stores with saints adorning the windows. "This corridor is always busy with activity and right now it seems almost like a ghost town."
At the restaurant where Caridad works, the fear is palpable. We've been asked not to give the name of the establishment, because it employs several workers in the country without legal status. Caridad, a widow who lives in Little Village, is one of them. She asked that we withhold her last name out of fear of deportation. She is originally from Mexico. She's 64 years old.She has been in the US for more than three decades. "Half my life," she reflects. She's spent almost all of that time working at this restaurant.
Caridad says she's watched anxiety take hold of her community in the days leading up to the inauguration. "It's more than fear, it's panic," she says. She still goes to work every day, but with a growing sense of unease. "In these last few weeks, I get home from work and I thank God I made it."
As she talks, she flips through the local Spanish newspaper. The title, in large bold lettering reads: "ILLINOIS: SANCTUARY STATE. NOT AFRAID."
For all the panic, there is also a very tangible sense of defiance here.
Illinois is a sanctuary state , and Chicago a sanctuary city, which means police are prohibited from cooperating with federal deportation actions. On Tuesday, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson , told NPR that "as a welcoming city and as a sanctuary city, we are firm in that our police department will not intervene or participate [in immigration enforcement] in any way."
Immigrant advocates have been preparing for months. It's not their first time dealing with immigration raids, but they say this time around feels different for everyone involved. Caridad says she feels that across the country, "they hate us. They really hate us and reject us."
"What we are telling people is we are not running, we are fighting," says Jorge Mujica, an immigrants rights organizer with the non-profit Arise Chicago. "And in order to fight, you have to know how to fight. You have to be prepared. You have to have the famous red card."
Red cards are palm-sized cards distributed by immigration advocates to migrants, which they can hand over to ICE agents in the event of a raid."I am giving you this card because I don't want to speak with you or have any further contact," every card reads. "I choose to exercise my constitutional right to remain silent and refuse to answer your questions. If you arrest me, I will continue exercising that constitutional right."
Despite Chicago's sanctuary status, immigration is enforced by the federal government, which means ICE agents can enter and conduct operations at their discretion. That's why immigration rights advocates have also encouraged migrants to have a plan.
One woman named Yessenia, a bartender for private events in the city, says in the last few weeks she and her family have assembled a detailed plan. She asked that her last name be withheld for fear of retaliation: she qualifies for deferred work action , which protects non-citizen workers like herself from threats by exploitative employers. She worries about becoming a target for removal because her name is in the system.
Yessenia is 37 years old. She's originally from Mexico. Her youngest children, aged 8 and 9, are US citizens. The family's new rules are that everyone has to check in every five hours. "If someone does not report, start asking friends. If no one has seen the person, start looking on the immigration website," she explains.
Back at the restaurant, owner Laura (she asked that her last name be withheld because she's worried about being targeted by raids) says she considered closing. But employees like Caridad asked her not to.
She says staying open has kind of become her line in the sand. Laura herself is the daughter of Mexican immigrants. "No shame of being an immigrant. People want to put shame upon us. And it's not what we are. And it's not who we are. This is what makes America great. The immigrants."
Still, she estimates she's lost some 30% of her clientele in the last week or so. She hears from people who just don't want to leave the house. At lunch, some customers trickle in. Every time the door opens, Caridad looks up, alarmed.
The younger staff, they could run to the kitchen, but she says she's too old. "I could fall." And immigration advocates have advised them not to. "It's worse if you run. And I'm not a criminal."
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The people mentioned in this story have been in America for decades. There is no majority demand that people like this be deported.
Since they have been here for decades -one might wonder why they have not applied for legal status long ago?
that is a good question
Morning...we have a sort of similar situation here mainly with the Kiwi's...
They come over legally stay here for years etc, fly back and forth and some are involved in Bikie mobs, drugs the usual illegal stuff, gang warfare.... jailed etc, released then commit more crimes etc etc...
The new rule that was brought in years ago is ..
If you serve two years in prison or more for what ever crime and you are not an Aussie citizen then you will be deported... that applies to everyone..
But the Kiwi's think because they have spent nearly their entire lives here having been born in NZ they should automatically be able to stay here...nope not anymore..
They are put on a plane and sent back...the plea of "just not getting around to it" or promise to turn over a new leaf well to late she cried...
We have deported thousands and will keep doing so...
Bottom line is...come by all means, stay by all means, become an Aussie citizen if you want to, but if you do the crimes and are jailed expect to be booted out...
Many bleat they haven't been back to NZ since they were a baby...well last time I checked they speak English in NZ , no one starves in NZ and now they can "reconnect" with their long lost rellies across the ditch..
Jacinta Ardern when in power and the current PM constantly whinged about us deporting our problems..No they are NZ citizens not ours..
Just returning to sender those that left their country in the first place...and decided they preferred the criminal lifestyle instead and they can think about it on the flight home...
It works for us and we are happy to wave them goodbye..🦘
Although this may not be the greatest outcome, but being deported should have been first on their minds when they first came here illegally.
If they are here illegally for decades, they had every opportunity to get an immigration lawyer and get things done to stay here....all without having to leave the country.
"She's 64 years old. She has been in the US for more than three decades. "Half my life," she reflects. She's spent almost all of that time working at this restaurant."
So why has she not applied for citizenship? The fault is on her and anyone like her.
Because then she would have to report any wages she made and pay taxes on those wages.
Getting paid under the table?
Not so much.
Can't seem to find the definition of "majority demand" in our criminal code, it's not a popularity contest on who is here legally.
As predictable as the sun coming up, we get ham fisted propaganda from the left. Left wing media will publicize every sympathetic illegal alien they can find. Don't expect to see any stories from them describing the devastation of a family dealing with the loss of loved one killed by an illegal.
Are you in favor of deporting law abiding illegals who have been in America for 10, 20, or 30 years ?
This is an absolute bullshit, if they are here illegally, they are not by definition law abiding, I don't care how long they are here, they have zero right to remain here.
No such thing. The minute they crossed the border illegally, they are criminals.
What if they crossed legally? Are you still in favor of deporting them?
Define crossed legally. That would imply they are here legally.
Yes, all of them.
"law abiding illegals" what kind of classification is that?
Unless they came through an approved area of entry, they are here illegally.
Many claimed asylum, but can only come up with economics as the reasoning. I hope this is the second wave that will be deported.
That is not true, but I am getting tired of explaining asylum laws to the willfully ignorant. Don't off hand remember if you qualify for that, but I believe I have gone over that with you previously.
Doesn't matter. Once they claim asylum they are here legally at least until after their court date.
So you feel that America should violate asylum laws? We should only follow "convenient" laws?
You betcha - you break the laws, you pay the price.
You probably have tried but I probably dismissed it for being wrong.
From the USCIS website...
To obtain asylum in the United States through the affirmative asylum process, you must 1 2 3 4 5 :
What part of coming across the Rio Grande or crossing the desert meets the requirements for number 3?
" Doesn't matter. Once they claim asylum they are here legally at least until after their court date."
Never said anything different. I simply said that most of them use economics as the reason...And that is not a legitimate reason to claim asylum.
" So you feel that America should violate asylum laws? "
My first point counters this. The Trump admin needs to expedite these court hearings for "asylum", deny them wholesale, and escort the illegal straight back to their country all in the same day.
That is what should happen
Unless your name is Trump.
From your own linked site:
Encouraged , not required.
It is the very 1st paragraph at your link, that you somehow missed reading....
I have already shown your 1st point to be false.
He blocked that from happening with the bipartisan immigration law.
No you haven't.
The info I gave you came straight from the USCIS site.
What aisle of Wal Mart did you get yours?
"He blocked that from happening with the bipartisan immigration law"
Doesn't make sense. What do you mean?
Doesn't mean it is considered legal.
You seem to have missed this right above the failed attempt at gotcha....
"Under the rule, certain individuals who enter the United States through its southwest land border or adjacent coastal borders are presumed to be ineligible for asylum, unless they can demonstrate an exception to the rule or rebut the presumption. "
Economic reasons is not an exception to the rule.
BTW.....just curious.
If you are so concerned about illegals becoming legal by any means, how many have you taken into your home to take the taxpayer burden off paying for their whole existence here?
Some seem to think that illegals that simply cross the Rio Grande and say "hey, I declare asylum for economic reasons" is perfectly ok to give them asylum.
How wrong they are.
Not only do i hope they deport the illegals, I hope they charge everyone who helped them with aiding and abetting them, and fine the hell out of anyone who employed them.
ESPECIALLY since it is illegal to employ them in the first place.
As was the quoted statement I posted, and mine was the most updated one. You really should look before replying, you won't look so silly.
So you don't even bother reading the comment you are replying to. Wow.......
Do you get American news at wherever you are located?
Republicans kill border bill in a sign of Trump's strength and McConnell's waning influence
'Immoral': Some Republicans rebuke efforts to kill immigration deal to help Trump
The collapse of bipartisan immigration reform: A guide for the perplexed
Jesus Christ!!! Yes it does!!! That's the law! ENCOURAGE NOT REQUIRE by law!!!!!
You seem to have missed this right above the failed attempt at gotcha....
Saw it, and I see that you are dishonestly omitting part of the quote. You're using quotation marks yet purposely NOT including the full quote!!
That claim came from you only.
Are we back to your stupid ass question again. Please provide any way that my hosting immigrants would effect their lawful treatment? This comment thread is about your inability to understand American law. It has nothing to do with me, so stop trolling.
‘Jesus Christ!!! Yes it does!!! That's the law! ENCOURAGE NOT REQUIRE by law!!!!!’
It is encouraged to go through these places because border patrol does not want to scrape their carcasses off the desert floor or fish them out of the river. Again, still doesn’t make it legal.
‘Saw it, and I see that you are dishonestly omitting part of the quote. You're using quotation marks yet purposely NOT including the full quote!!’
The hell I didn’t the quote I used was the entirety listed on USCIS website. Seems lime you don’t like what they post.
’Are we back to your stupid ass question again. Please provide any way that my hosting immigrants would effect their lawful treatment? This comment thread is about your inability to understand American law’
You never answered so I asked again. Not a crime here, but harboring illegals is. Hope you don’t get caught up in a raid.
I understand American law just fine as evidenced of proving how wrong you are.
Popular opinion among the electorate supports these deportations. It's going to happen.
Many polls show the number upwards of 70% but I wanted to use one most would accept.
Adios Amigos!
Someone is likely to accuse you of cultural appropriation, a Simple, Bye Felicia! is safer.
Have to wonder how long sanctuary cities continue before any officials are arrested and charged by the DOJ for interfering with the federal government in it's immigration enforcement efforts.
Non-help is not interfering. Or from the quote -
I'm sure anyone trying to criminalize city or state officials for trying to make them do another departments work would fail spectacularly. I wouldn't put it past the new authoritarian regime though.
Beg to differ. Refusing to honor an ICE retainer and release the person is interfering with immigration enforcement efforts. My question is will they go after the person who actually processes the release or the judge who orders it or the city officials who demanded such action in the first place.
Just an FYI you're talking about a ICE Detaining Order (I had to look up the term myself). Non-compliance has been done several hundred times now, so I'd love to see that go to court and stand up. Other's have tried to force compliance, but there is no current federal law requiring anyone to assist ICE. It's a voluntary agreement between city/state and federal authorities. People in and around the Trump Admin have floated ideas from federal prosecution to withholding federal funds. We'll see how this continues to play out. I expect little more than click-bait partisanship on both sides.
Perhaps the Republican lead Congress can pass a new law? The Riley Laken Act now requires ICE to hold anyone suspected of any crime with non-compliance of city, or state officials to try them in court. Guess how much that's going to cost? I also think it can be struck down as unconstitutional because these people still have the right to due process.