Chicago leaders holding prayer vigil outside ICE office to demand raids stop

CHICAGO — Community and faith leaders are holding a prayer vigil Thursday outside of an ICE office downtown.

The vigil started around 11 a.m. on Clark Street near Ida B. Wells Drive. Those attending want ICE out of Illinois. They want the raids and family separation to stop in immigrant communities.

House Speaker Mike Johnson visited the same office on Wednesday,

During his visit, he had a closed-door roundtable discussion with Chicago-based ICE leadership.

“Any elected official, doesn’t matter what party you’re in, you should be in favor of the people upholding the law and trying to keep our community safe. The idea that the mayor here would say the crazy things he has said about ICE, he’s got it completely upside down. He is applauding and supporting dangerous criminals, instead of the people who are trying to keep our citizens safe,” Johnson said.

Over the weekend, husbands, brothers and uncles were separated from their families after showing up at an ISAP check-in at the ICE office on Michigan Avenue.

They were ultimately detained once they arrived.

Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi and Jonathan Jackson went to the facility hoping to get a tour, learn the process and ask questions. Instead, a masked-man identified himself as an officer, but did not give any other information.

The congressman were told they are trespassing and police were called.

On Wednesday, members of congress, including Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, joined immigration lawyers and advocates to conduct a visit to the ICE processing center in Broadview.

This visit was due to reports of inhumane living conditions for migrants and no access to their lawyers. There too, masked agents denied their entry.

Under appropriation laws, members of congress have the authority to enter any facility operated by DHS (Department of Homeland Security) used to detain or otherwise house people without advance notice.

Democrat leaders sent a letter Wednesday to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, demanding oversight over ice facitilites and detention centers.