Leaders of Chicago's immigrant communities say one of the effects of the Trump Administration's ICE enforcement can be seen in the pews of churches across the area every Sunday.
State Senator Graciela Guzman said she was in her office in the city's Albany Park neighborhood on October 12 when she got a call from a neighbor.
"I could hear him yelling at the top of his lungs, with desperation in his chest, 'La migra! La migra esta aqui! (The agents are here)" said Guzman (D-20th District) during an appearance Friday at Christ Lutheran Church, 3253 W. Wilson Ave.
Pastor Tom Terrell said federal agents moved in just as Sunday services had let out at his church: "They tried to snatch one of our neighbors on this very block just down the street from our church."
He said neighbors began blowing whistles to alert people, and peacefully asked the agents to leave.
"For confronting ICE agents in this diverse neighborhood, they were tear-gassed," said the pastor. "It was outrageous to see tear gas on our streets trying to disperse a nonviolent crowd."
Advocates for the area's immigrant communities say they've been contacted by people who say they're afraid to go to church for fear they may be detained, even if they're citizens. Some churches serving immigrant communities have reportedly had to switch to virtual services.
The state's senior U.S. Senator, Democrat Dick Durbin, expressed support for immigrant communities. "Is this America? Is this what we signed up for as Americans?"
Sen. Guzman said she's grateful for the ways Chicagoans are stepping up to help immigrants scared to leave their homes, including the people living around Christ Lutheran Church.
"What I saw on Sunday is that 60 neighbors came together and scared ICE away," she said.
Pastor Terrell promised that his community will continue its advocacy: "We have whistles, and we will be whistling."