Latest news with #ICIRR
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Anti-ICE demonstrators take to the streets in downtown Chicago
CHICAGO - As Governor JB Pritzker testified in Washington, D.C. during a tense congressional hearing on immigration Thursday, protesters took to the streets of Chicago for an anti-ICE demonstration—shutting down Michigan Avenue during rush hour. What we know With protests ramping up in Los Angeles, Chicago organizations are holding demonstrations of their own—condemning enhanced immigration enforcement and speaking out against the potential for local workplace raids. "We are preparing for workplace raids across the region, just like we saw in LA last week. We hear there will be tactical teams," said Marcos Ceniceros, executive director, Warehouse Workers for Justice (WWJ). "At WWJ we hear from workers every day who are terrified, scared to drive to work, to drop off their kids at school, to go to church, to speak up on the job when they witness or experience exploitation. But that fear is turning into power. Workers are not backing down. They are organizing in workplaces and communities." On Thursday afternoon, hundreds of people rallied downtown. Unlike Tuesday's protest, however, things remained peaceful with no arrests, according to police. Led by the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), the crowd took to Michigan Avenue, marching north until they reached Wacker Drive. As they rounded the corner, Wabash Avenue was blocked by salt trucks and fencing, which prevented demonstrators from getting any closer to Trump Tower. Still, they stopped to send a message before returning to Grant Park. "These past few days have been heavy, the fear is real," said Veronica Castro, deputy director, ICIRR. "Today we are here to say, ICE out of Chicago, ICE out Illinois, ICE out of everywhere." Chicago police officers—in front, behind, and on either side of demonstrators—closed streets and diverted traffic in a rolling fashion. A number of other grassroots organizations joined the protest, including the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, the Chicago Federation of Labor, and Organized Communities Against Deportations (OCAD). They spoke about Gladis Yolanda Chavez Pineda, a mother taken during an ICE operation in the South Loop last week. "Gladis is on the lines. Hundreds of mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters are on the line, our democracy and freedom is on the line. This is a pivot point for our society," said Antonio Gutierrez, OCAD organizer. "We will either rise and resist or we will allow Trump to become the fascist dictator that he clearly wants to become." Organizers are urging others to stand with immigrant communities. Advocates also recommend that any undocumented immigrants with questions or concerns reach out to the Family Support Network Hotline at 1-855-435-7693. "This is a city of immigrants that has been built by immigrants," said Bob Reiter with the Chicago Federation of Labor. "We have made homes here, we have created beautiful spaces for all of us to share, and we will remain," added Ireri Unzueta with the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization. What's next On Saturday, June 14, protests are planned across the country, including at Daley Plaza. It's being called the 'No Kings' rally, which will coincide with President Trump's planned military parade in Washington, D.C.
CBS News
12-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Chicago protest planned today calling for ICE tactical units to stand down
A Chicago protest is planned for Thursday afternoon by immigration advocates, who are calling for ICE tactical teams sent by the Trump Administration to stand down. Those ICE tactical teams were one of the catalysts for protests in Los Angeles that have lasted nearly a week now. City officials confirmed Trump had given these teams 48 hours notices to be ready to be deployed to Chicago, with mini-tanks and riot gear, to target undocumented immigrants. Advocates and community leaders said they've already received word as of Thursday morning that ICE agents have been spotted at a Loop Metra and Amtrak station. They say ICE is not welcome here in the city. Leaders of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights gathered ahead of the afternoon protest Thursday morning, calling for ICE to stand down and condemning arrests by ICE agents in the South Loop last week. The city said tactical ICE operations could begin as soon as today. The purpose is to target undocumented immigrants wherever they are, including at work. Some community leaders are advising people to call ICIRR family support network and hotline if there are any suspected ICE sightings. They spoke passionately about why action is needed amid these widespread roundups. "Hundreds of mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, are on the line," said Antionio Guttierez, co-founder of Organized Communities Against Deportation. "Our democracy and freedom is on the line." Thursday's protest is set to begin at 4 p.m. at Ida B Wells and Michigan Avenue, near Grant Park. Saturday, Chicago's "No Kings" protest will be held in Daley Plaza at 12 p.m. Thousands are expected to attend.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Skokie strengthens immigration protections ordinance
Though not officially labeled as a Welcoming City on paper, the Skokie Village Board approved measures to restrict assisting federal immigration agents in certain cases. The village will also be able to give limited help to those in the immigration booking system. The updated Human Relations Chapter of the village's code does not conflict with federal law, as it still requires the village and its police department to assist federal officers in serving criminal warrants, officials said. The Village Board unanimously approved the changes to the village's code at its March 17 meeting. The new addendums in the Human Relations chapter state that the village shall not assist immigration officers who do not have a criminal warrant, assist in information sharing, arrest or detain someone based solely on their immigration status. The village is also mandated to notify foreign nationals of their right to contact consulates within 48 hours of their booking, support programs available for immigrants who are victims of qualifying crimes and who are potential witnesses for prosecution of a crime, and to respond promptly to requests for visa supporting documents and visa certifications. Those mandates and restrictions were already in practice in Skokie, according to Mayor George Van Dusen, but the Village Board approved updating to reinforce its stance. Under President Donald Trump's first term in office, the Village Board approved amendments to its Human Relations chapter in 2017 to create safe zones in health care facilities, schools and universities. Michael Lorge, the village's corporation counsel said at the time that the village granted legal protections to its residents that are commonly seen in 'sanctuary cities.' After Trump was sworn in for his second term, Fred Tsao, the senior policy council for the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) wrote an email to Lorge and Trustee James Johnson and two other recipients saying the village's ordinance is strong, but it could be strengthened if its language were to be clarified. Van Dusen defended the integrity of the 2017 protections at a Village Board meeting Feb. 3, and said the Board created those protections before the state approved the TRUST Act. The subject came back to the Village Board as an honorary proclamation at the Feb. 18 meeting reiterating the village's support for all immigrants. 'Mr. Tsao, with (ICIRR) made some suggestions to us,' Van Dusen said after the proclamation was read by Trustee Khem Khouen. 'In the (Police) Chief's guidance, he states the following, 'Under prohibited activities: No compliance with immigration detainers, administrative warrants or custody transfers without a criminal warrant. No sharing of information about individuals in custody, including release dates.'' 'Under stops, arrests and detentions: No stops, searches, arrests or detentions based solely on immigration status.' 'The Chief reiterates, ICE administrative warrants do not justify arrests or detentions,' Van Dusen said. 'Individuals in custody cannot be denied services, benefits or programs based on immigration status.' 'Facilities must notify foreign nationals of the right to contact consulates within 48 hours of booking,' he said. Van Dusen said the police department does so to build community trust and treat all individuals equitably, regardless of immigration status. Khoeun thanked Van Dusen for explaining the ordinance publicly, and filed a motion to clarify the village's intentions in its Human Relations Chapter. 'We want to make sure that it's explicit so that we're future-proofing it as well, regardless of who's here,' she said, while adding to her motion a provision for the village to work with ICIRR to be proactive in making changes to the village's code if necessary. The motion was seconded by Trustee Keith Robinson; the Village Board had approved a first reading of it on March 3.
