Immigrant rights committee to hold hearing over CPD’s presence at South Loop ICE raid

CHICAGO — The Immigrant and Refugee Rights Committee is set to hold a hearing Tuesday to discuss if Chicago police violated the city’s welcoming ordinance.

On June 4, officers were called to a scene of a large crowd in the city’s South Loop.

Protesters had gathered outside the BI Incorporated building, located on the 2200 block of South Michigan Avenue, after learning people were ordered to show up to that location for an Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP) check-in — but were detained instead.

This hearing Tuesday will focus on the Chicago Police Department’s involvment in these arrests.

Police and Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office are now being asked to hand over all data and communications for CPD’s presence from that day.

The city’s ordinance prohibits city agencies from colloborating with federal immigration enforcement.

Police say they had no knowledge of immigration enforcement happening at that location. However, they talked to people inside the building and those in the crowd who gathered outside

Police say their goal was to ensure the safety of everyone involved.

WGN News witnessed nine women led into a white van, but it was unclear how many people were arrested as part of the operation.

Chicago police released a statement after the incident that reads, in part: “at no point did CPD assist in immigration enforcement. All actions taken by CPD during this incident were in accordance with CPD policy and the City of Chicago municipal code, including the Welcoming City Ordinance. No arrests were made by CPD and the crowd dispersed without incident.”

The committee will also look at CPD’s protocols for ICE enforcement operations.