(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — There's some local pushback after a wave of federal raids targeted undocumented immigrants in Chicago this weekend.
“I'm very afraid that they will not follow the law,” Gov. JB Pritzker said.
The Democratic governor said he's all for immigration officials getting rid of violent criminals in Illinois, but is concerned federal agents won't stop there.
“We need to get rid of the violent criminals, but we also need to protect people, at least the residents of Illinois and all across the nation, who are just doing what we hope that immigrants will do.”
Pritzker appeared on CNN's State of the Union to explain what he calls a disturbing political agenda.
“They're going after people who are law abiding, who are holding down jobs, who have families here, who may have been here for a decade or two decades. And they're often our neighbors and our friends. And why are we going after them?”
There were 956 arrests made as part of a nationwide crackdown Sunday, though it's not clear how many of those were in the Chicago area.
State Representative Delia Ramirez (D-3rd) called the effort sick and perverse, but 15th Ward Alder. Ray Lopez says the Trump administration is being strategic.
“There's a very specific group of individuals that they're looking for, and oftentimes the rumor mill is more dangerous than the actual ICE missions.”
U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued a joint statement saying their offices are ready to help those who are improperly caught up in these raids.
Chicago's 2nd Ward Alder. Brian Hopkins, who favors the deporting of undocumented criminals, says there's been little to no coordination between ICE agents and the city.
“We're not getting any formal notification. The officially established channels of communication for things like this are not being used by ICE right now.”
He said ICE is violating all standard procedures for carrying out the task.
“Federal agents presented, unannounced, to FOUR police districts in the city of Chicago – The 4th, the 7th, the 10th, and the 25th. They walked in as if they were members of the public, approached the counter, and introduced themselves as federal agents," Hopkins said.
“And said, ‘We're here for an enforcement effort. We are looking to arrest possibly in your police district.’"
Being a sanctuary city, Mayor Brandon Johnson noted Chicago police weren't involved in this weekend's immigration enforcement activity.
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