Immigration enforcement will continue over Halloween in Chicago, Noem says
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Protesters march in the Little Village neighborhood in Chicago during an ICE protest on Oct. 25. Photo: Seth Herald/Anadolu via Getty Images
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem denied Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker's (D) request to suspend all federal immigration operations across the Chicago area over Halloween weekend.
Why it matters: Pritzker's request came after Chicago residents reported last weekend that federal immigration officers conducted a raid right before a children's Halloween parade.
Driving the news: At a press conference Thursday at a Gary, Indiana, airport, Noem said she would not grant the governor's request to pause ICE and CBP raids beginning Friday.
- According to a letter sent Wednesday and obtained by Axios, Pritzker asked Noem to call off immigration raids so families could celebrate in peace.
- The letter is addressed to Noem, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) head Todd Lyons and Border Patrol leader Rodney S. Scott.
What they're saying: "We're absolutely not willing to put on pause any work that we will do to keep communities safe," Noem said. "The fact that Gov. Pritzker is asking for that is shameful and, I think, unfortunate that he doesn't recognize how important the work is that we do to make sure we're bringing criminals to justice and getting them off our streets."
- DHS, ICE, CBP did not respond to Axios' request for comment on Thursday morning.
The other side: "No child should be forced to inhale tear gas or other chemical agents while trick or treating in their own neighborhood," Pritzker wrote.
- "I would appreciate your cooperation and confirmation that federal agents will stand down from any actions that could endanger or harm perfectly innocent children in our communities during this Halloween weekend. We have heard from teachers, parents, and other caregivers that children are anxious."
- "Let them enjoy a time-honored American tradition safely and peacefully. Please let children be children for one holiday, free from intimidation and fear."
The latest: The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday that Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino does not have to report daily to Judge Sara Ellis' courtroom with updates on operations, one day after Ellis ruled Bovino did.
- Ellis also referenced last weekend's reported disruptions of a Halloween celebration, saying kids' "sense of safety was shattered Saturday and it's gonna take a long time for that to come back, if ever."
Go deeper: How Chicago became ground zero for Trump's military crackdown
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that Gregory Bovino is a commander with Border Patrol (not ICE). It has also been updated with comments from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
