The cities Trump is targeting with ICE crackdowns next
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U.S. federal agents detain a man during an immigration raid in Chicago. Photo: Jamie Kelter Davis/Getty Images
Fresh off its immigration raids into Los Angeles and Chicago, the Department of Homeland Security has launched its operation in Charlotte and has New Orleans in its sights.
Why it matters: The high-profile operations have led to surges in arrests. But they've also galvanized local resistance efforts, and created a playbook for activists in other cities when ICE comes to town.
- "In Chicago, we pushed back as hard as we could," said Brandon Lee, of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.
- "We're going to work to make sure that the local leaders in North Carolina and wherever else they take their road show of terror after this are as prepared as can be for what's coming."
The big picture: Operation Midway Blitz, which targeted undocumented immigrants in the Chicago area, resulted in 3,000 arrests, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on Oct. 30.
- The operation in Chicago mirrored prior activities in Los Angeles, where Border Patrol also joined ICE on its mission.
- President Trump told "60 Minutes" in a recent interview that he wants to see more aggressive tactics in operations across the country, but blamed "liberal judges" for restricting immigration agents.
- White House Deputy Chief of staff Stephen Miller set a 3,000 arrests per day goal in May. The latest public data shows that even with these targeted operations, the agency is falling short.
Zoom in: In Chicago, activists set up a rapid response team of volunteers, and rallied support from local elected officials, business and faith leaders.
- Documenting enforcement: Part of the rapid response volunteer network's role was to film officers making arrests, so they could document any potential excessive uses of force or other violations.
- Targeted demonstrations: At least one demonstration blocked the entrance at the Broadview processing facility that was holding immigrants for extended periods of time before they were transferred to permanent detention facilities.
- Legal challenges: In the court room, litigators sued the administration over the use of tear gas in the city, the detention conditions at Broadview and for how federal agents made arrests. One case, over warrantless arrests, led to a judge ordering the release of more than 600 people on bond.
Between the lines: Sanctuary cities and jurisdictions are top targets for the immigration crackdown, White House Border Czar Tom Homan has said in multiple interviews.
- But resistance to these raids is growing beyond activists and civil rights lawyers. Local business leaders and clergy have joined in calls to halt the aggressive enforcement tactics.
- "At every turn, activist judges, sanctuary politicians, and violent rioters have actively tried to prevent our law enforcement officers from arresting and removing the worst of the worst," said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
What's next: "What we've seen in Los Angeles, what we've seen in Chicago are forces violating people's constitutional rights and wrecking havoc on entire communities," said Liz Barber, director of policy and advocacy at the ACLU of North Carolina.
- Her ACLU affiliate is already in conversation with colleagues in Chicago and Southern California about legal strategies and reviewing cases in those jurisdictions.
- "We do see the pattern... probably, the biggest things are going to be use of force, detention conditions and racial profiling."
