Faith leaders and activists rally against ICE operations near Chicago-area naval base

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill. (WGN) — Immigrant rights advocates, faith leaders and neighbors marched down Sheridan Road in North Chicago toward the Great Lakes Naval Base on Saturday to denounce the growing wave of immigration enforcement in Chicago and surrounding communities.

“We’ve seen an escalation from ICE agents in the way they’re kidnapping people, in the way they’re intimidating,” Dulce Ortiz, the Executive Director of Mano a Mano, said.

Almost two weeks into what the Trump administration has dubbed “Operation Midway Blitz,” an immigration enforcement operation focusing on Chicago and Illinois, nearly 500 people have been arrested, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

 As ICE raids sweep through neighborhoods, fear has gripped Latino immigrant communities.

In response, demonstrators came together in prayer, declaring that people of faith refuse to accept federal violence and relentlessly fight for the dignity and justice of every human being.

“They have due process. Most of these people are not criminals, just hardworking. They’re the backbone and infrastructure of this country,” Mercedes Martinez said.

Religious leaders and immigrant rights groups are strongly encouraging people to educate themselves about their rights.

To contact the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights’ Family Support Network and Hotline for assistance or to report ICE activity, call 855-435-7693.