Chicago schools and churches on alert amid growing ICE raid reports
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Demonstrators protest outside of the immigration processing and detention facility in Broadview on Saturday. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images
Immigration raids continue around the Chicago area as parents, neighbors and community members band together to protect migrants.
Why it matters: As "Operation Midway Blitz" is in full swing, Chicagoans from every corner of the city are impacted.
The big picture: Reports of agents apprehending alleged immigrants at school drop-offs and targeting churches have communities questioning the rules of engagement.
What they're saying: "They want to break us down," Democrat U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez (IL-3rd) said recently in front of Funston Elementary in Logan Square. "This city was built by community. Fascism isn't welcome here today, tomorrow, or ever. We will prevail together."
Catch up quick: In Lincoln Square, nearby schools went on lockdown Friday after reports of ICE activity.
- ICE agents also allegedly staked out a church during Spanish-speaking mass at St. Jerome's in Rogers Park on Sunday.
- And protesters continue to flood the agency's processing facility in Broadview, where 15 people were arrested this past weekend.
The latest: A judge ordered the protective fencing at the Broadview facility to be taken down by Tuesday.
Yes, but: Citing more safety and traffic concerns, the Broadview mayor issued an executive order shrinking the zone protesters can demonstrate in.
What we're watching: While ICE continues its operations, the federalized National Guard in Illinois is unclear.
- Saturday, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a ruling from earlier in the week, determining that National Guard troops can stay in the state, but can't be deployed until the court hears further arguments. The decision affirmed a temporary restraining order that expires Oct. 23.
- "We hope to continue to win," Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said Sunday on ABC News' "This Week." "Look, we've got to rely on the courts to do the right thing. I realize that sometimes that's risky business, especially when some have been appointed by Donald Trump."
The other side: Vice President JD Vance went to the airwaves to advocate for the deployment of the National Guard to fight crime in Chicago. Vance told NBC's "Meet the Press" that "there are places in Chicago where people are afraid to take their children for fear of gun violence, for fear of gang drive-by shootings."