Community groups rally in Pilsen to protest ICE raids in Chicago

CHICAGO (WGN) — About a dozen community organizations gathered in Pilsen on Sunday to protest ICE raids across Chicago.

Demonstrators say the Trump administration is targeting immigrant communities, waving signs that blamed the administration for escalating attacks on immigrants.

The protest comes shortly after an ICE raid in the South Loop earlier this week in which at least 10 individuals were detained during routine immigration check-ins at the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP) office.

Advocates say they were tipped off that ICE was detaining people early Wednesday morning when a woman who is part of the ISAP program showed up for a check-in appointment that she received a text message about earlier in the week. 

Organizers allege that Chicago Police Department officers and officials were present and assisted ICE during the arrests, violating the city’s Welcoming City Ordinance.

“People are sick and tired of being sick and tired. Ultimately, the more that this administration is going to escalate, so are the people,” Omar Flores with the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression said.

Chicago police, however, claim they did not assist ICE in any capacity and were simply there to ensure public safety.

Local leaders are now calling for action and accountability in response to the incident.