An estimated 11 million immigrants live in the U.S. without legal status. Both Homan and Trump have pledged to execute the largest deportation operation in U.S. history, but the plan faces significant legal and logistical challenges, including the issue of housing millions of detained individuals.
In Chicago, community organizers and local officials are working to prevent panic among residents. On the Southwest Side, Any Huamani, a community organizer with the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, has been coordinating Know Your Rights trainings and managing a rapid response team through private group chats. These teams are prepared to respond if ICE agents appear in the community, providing information about rights, recording encounters, and assisting individuals. Requests for trainings have surged, with 20 received recently.
Huamani emphasized that the greatest fear for many undocumented immigrants is being separated from their children.
During Trump’s first term, the “zero tolerance” policy led to the separation of more than 5,000 children from their parents without a system to reunite families. Many immigrants also fear being detained or relocated to unfamiliar areas.
Huamani advises individuals to memorize at least three phone numbers in case they are detained by ICE.
There is concern that ICE may target Chicago’s Southwest Side and conduct workplace raids in nearby suburbs, home to large immigrant populations. Garien Gatewood, Chicago’s deputy mayor of community safety, noted that the city’s police department operates under a long-standing welcoming city ordinance, leaving immigration enforcement to federal authorities.
According to police spokesman Don Terry, Chicago police do not document immigration status or share information with federal agents but will not interfere with federal operations.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s office has not directly responded to reports of upcoming raids in Chicago but referenced his previous statement expressing a commitment to protecting undocumented immigrants who have not committed violent crimes.
