Chicago Lawmakers and Residents Demand Accountability After Aggressive Federal Raids
Chicago Lawmakers and Residents Demand Accountability After Aggressive Federal Raids
Chicago’s political landscape is abuzz with outrage and calls for accountability following a series of aggressive federal immigration raids, including a recent military-style operation on a South Shore apartment building. U.S. Representatives Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, Delia Ramirez, Robin Kelly, and Jonathan Jackson joined community activists and affected residents at a Sunday news conference, condemning the tactics and demanding an end to federal immigration enforcement in the Chicago area.
The catalyst for the growing protest was an early Wednesday morning raid on a South Shore apartment, where federal agents reportedly burst in, pulled residents from their beds, and detained them for hours. Pertissue Fisher, 54, a U.S. citizen, described an agent putting a gun in her face and being handcuffed tightly enough to leave bruises. Many of the detained residents, like Fisher, are U.S. citizens, igniting widespread anger and questions about federal overreach.
This raid is part of the ongoing “Operation Midway Blitz” by the Trump administration, which has seen increased federal presence from Border Patrol, FBI, and ATF agents, leading to 37 arrests on charges ranging from drug trafficking to immigration violations. However, the methods employed have drawn sharp criticism, with Congress members calling it one of the “most shameful periods in American history.”
The outcry extends beyond the South Shore incident. Community activist Ana Guajardo highlighted the case of Laura Morillo, a mother of two detained by ICE while selling tamales, now held in El Paso, Texas. Additionally, Ald. Jessie Fuentes was handcuffed and briefly detained at Humboldt Park Hospital for requesting a judicial warrant from agents, an incident that prompted 37 City Council members and Mayor Brandon Johnson to sign a letter condemning ICE’s disregard for constitutional law.
U.S. Rep. Ramirez and Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth have sought a meeting with ICE Field Office Director Russell Hott to discuss oversight of the Broadview processing facility, a de facto detention center. Lawmakers are exploring legislative action and possible litigation to ensure accountability and protect residents from what they describe as emboldened ICE agents operating with impunity.
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