Congressman Jesus ‘Chuy’ Garcia condemns ICE raids at Chicago town hall

CHICAGO (WGN) — United States Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia condemned ICE immigration raids in Chicago at a South Side town hall Tuesday evening.

“By in far, the people being apprehended are not the worst of the worst. That’s what is so troubling by what’s going on in the country,” Garcia said. “They’ve come after immigrants, higher education, law firms. The only question is, who will be next?”

Immigration was top of mind at the town hall, which took place at Eberhart Elementary School in the city’s Chicago Lawn neighborhood.

Garcia announced he joined the millions who marched around the country this past weekend as a part of coordinated “No Kings” protests against President Donald Trump’s administration.

A panel of local lawmakers detailed efforts to protect mixed-status families in Illinois, which included the creation of funding provisions for legal representation, if needed.

“We are hoping to expand to ensure there are enough attorneys so that we are able to be part of the solution to continue to have legal representation through due process,” Cook County Commissioner Alma Anaya (7th District) said.

Lawmakers also provided reassurance that local law enforcement won’t work with federal agents on immigration enforcement, an issue that has set legislation in motion to make sure that Illinois schools don’t either.

“Our colleges and universities cannot coordinate with ICE,” State Rep. Aaron Ortiz said. “Our schools should be places of learning, not fear.”

At the conclusion of the town hall, lawmakers offered an ICE assistance hotline for those who know someone who gets detained by federal agents: 855-435-7693.