Two supposed American citizens, captured during an ICE raid in Elgin, showcased on Governor Noem's social media via video.
Last week, a shocking incident unfolded in Franklin Park, Illinois, as Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez was killed by an ICE agent following a traffic stop. This tragic event has since sparked a wave of protests and calls for transparency from immigration authorities.
On Mexican Independence Day, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem arrived in Elgin, Illinois, accompanied by forces that included agents in camouflage uniforms and military helicopters circling above. The operation, part of DHS's "Operation Midway Blitz," is currently focusing on the Chicagoland area and suburbs, and includes the entire state of Illinois and Lake County, Indiana.
However, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has accused DHS of operating in secrecy, stating that they never alerted city or state officials of their presence. Pritzker described the operations as dangerous, wrong, unconstitutional, and un-American.
Marien Casillas Pabellón with the West Suburban Action Project echoed similar sentiments, stating that ICE does not want to release information about the death of Villegas-Gonzalez because it's not helping their narrative.
In response to these operations, a group of Latino leaders gathered at Daley Plaza to deliver an urgent message, asking undocumented residents or anyone who is vulnerable to stay home as much as they can and know their rights. State lawmakers representing Melrose Park and Cicero joined Tuesday's protest.
Protesters rejected claims by immigration officials about arresting undocumented criminals, and are continuing to call for transparency surrounding the death of Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez. According to Illinois Congresswoman Lauren Underwood, over 250 people from the Chicago area have been taken into custody by ICE since Sept. 6.
One particularly controversial incident involved a team breaking down the front door of a home and taking four people into custody. Noem claimed that the detained individuals were violent criminals wanted for crimes like assault and DUI. However, two of the four people detained were U.S. citizens who were released shortly afterward.
Immigration advocates are calling for an immediate end to the ongoing detentions and are struggling to keep track of how many people have been picked up by federal agents so far. They are also concerned about the impact of these operations on the community, with one team member stating that the operation was terrorizing the community.
Anti-ICE rallies were held in Melrose Park and Chicago in response to these operations, with protesters flying flags of various Latin American countries. Nancy Salgado with the West Suburban Action Project stated that this year has been different and they are in fear of not being able to celebrate their motherland.
The Border Patrol Commander present in Chicago who announced an immigration enforcement campaign is Gregory Bovino, a top U.S. Border Patrol official. As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how these operations will impact the community and the broader immigration debate in the United States.
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