Fear grips Chicago as immigration raids continue, affecting local businesses
CHICAGO – Images of immigration raids around the country and people being deported in shackles on military planes is stoking fear and leaving some people afraid to come to work or even move around their community.
One U.S. citizen, who immigrated to America over 30 years ago and opened his own business, is now directly impacted by the ongoing immigration raids, because you can't run a business without customers.
'I hope this terror will stop,' the man, who did not wish to be identified, said. 'This is going to affect the city. It's a chain of command. It's going to affect everybody…most of our customers are Latinos, almost 95%, and the way things are going around the country right now, they're scared to come out.'
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The man said violent criminals should be removed, but striking fear into hardworking families can't be the goal.
'There are so many ways they can work with these immigrants to make their status legal instead of just scaring them,' the man said.
Reports vary on how many people have been rounded up in Chicago since Sunday. Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling said his sources believe the number is more than 100, adding the focus is on those with criminal convictions.
'There's no need to be afraid to show up to work. There's no need to be afraid to go to school,' Snelling said. 'We have not seen federal agents running through Chicago looking for children, going to work locations and grabbing people.'
What has changed with immigration under Trump and what is still playing out?
Sam Toia of the Illinois Restaurant Association told WGN News on Tuesday that about 586,000 people work in the food service industry statewide; close to 300,000 are in Chicago and about 40% of them are immigrants. Toia added anxiety is high for those who don't hold the right papers.
'There's no question there's a few that are not coming to work. Everyone's looking over their shoulder,' Toia said. 'Not just because maybe some are undocumented, but some are just feeling like, you know, 'I'm Latino/Mexican. Am I just going to be stopped on the street? And if I don't produce my papers, am I going to be taken away?''
Agents need a signed warrant to enter a home or business, but an employer still has 72 hours to hand over I-9 forms which are required for work authorization.
'If that happens, please reach out to the Illinois Restaurant Association. Reach out to us. We are working with immigration groups, pro bono lawyers, to represent these workers,' Toia said.
Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson also joined Snelling earlier Tuesday, reaffirming the city's commitment to being a welcoming one.
'There's a real goal here to stoke fear into the American people,' Johnson said. 'We'll continue to make sure that we're protecting the interests of all working people in the city.'
Snelling did say on Tuesday that CPD, under the city's welcoming ordinance, cannot share an immigrant's status. Those who need police assistance are asked to give them a call.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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