Chicago officials raise concerns over federal immigration raids in Pilsen

CHICAGO (WGN) — Chicago public officials are raising concerns about whether warrants are being issued and due process is being followed after apparent federal immigration raids in Pilsen.

The arresting video, viral on social media, captured what’s believed to be federal law enforcement taking two people into custody Monday morning in Pilsen.

On Tuesday, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson questioned the legality of the arrests and whether warrants had been issued before the raid. 

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“These incidents that are happening around the country, they’re disturbing,” Johnson said. “You know the 5th and 14th Amendments have laid out a due process, and I believe that it’s important that we hold the constitutionality of our nation’s laws.”

Chicago Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th Ward) confirmed that the men detained are Mexican citizens and confirmed an online post on June 3 that when agents showed up in Little Village again on Tuesday, activists chased them away. 

“We are right now investigating the reason why those neighbors have been detained without a warrant,” Sigcho-Lopez said.

Addressing the incident, Beatrice Ponce de León, deputy mayor of immigrant, migrant, and refugee rights for the City of Chicago, said that due process is a right that all individuals have.

“We should be able to maintain that in this country,” Ponce de León said.

The head of Chicago’s immigrant rights office added that the intermittent raids are having a chilling effect on business and life in predominantly immigrant communities in Chicago, such as 26th Street in Little Village, which is among the top sales tax corridors in the city. 

“This is bringing instability, bringing fear, uncertainty into communities, and people are starting to react and perhaps, go back into the shadows and not be able to go freely to work or send their children to school,” Ponce de León added.

Johnson said he remains troubled by news of interactions, encounters, or alleged raids that do not adhere to the rule of law.

“That’s not the type of nation that we’ve worked hard to secure,” the mayor said.

Illinois Congressman Jesus “Chuy” García’s office is now looking into Monday’s arrests due to questions of warrants and due process. 

Congressman Garcia‘s office tells me it is not getting any cooperation from federal agencies about Monday’s arrests. The city has established a website for individuals with questions regarding current immigration issues.