Pro-immigrant groups rally in Chicago against Trump’s deportation policies as Johnson preps to face House OGR Committee

CHICAGO (WGN) — Pro-immigrant groups and members of Chicago’s faith community came together Tuesday to speak out against the Donald Trump administration’s prioritization of arrests and deportation of undocumented immigrants.

“We won’t be deterred by whatever this president says and comes at us with as a city, as communities,” Pastor Juan Pablo Herrera said.

“As a nation we have chosen deportation and resentment over welcome and care,” Pastor Julian DeShazier said.

“To offer sanctuary is Jewish, it’s American, it’s the right thing to do,” Rabbi Daniel Kirzane said.

The Chicago coalition’s message came on the eve of a made-for-TV Congressional hearing featuring four Democratic sanctuary city mayors. The Republican-led House Oversight and Government Reform Committee teed up the event in this video.

“We’re going to bring the mayors in. We’re going to let them explain what their policies are. See if they can answer some questions as to who’s paying for this.”

Mayor Brandon Johnson has been in Washington since Sunday, preparing for an expected grilling. He’s reached out to former mayors Rahm Emanuel and Lori Lightfoot, as well as Congressmen Danny Davis, Jonathan Jackson and former Education Secretary Arne Duncan.

“I will be prepared to defend working people in this city,” Johnson said on Tuesday, Feb. 25.

Republicans said they plan to hold the Sanctuary City mayors accountable for not acting on President Trump’s deportation agenda. Last month, the Trump administration sued Chicago, alleging sanctuary laws thwart federal authorities from enforcing their immigration crackdown.

Mayor Johnson, along with the mayors of New York City, Denver and Boston take the hot seat tomorrow at 9 a.m.