Chicago Mayor Urges Resistance to Immigration Enforcement

On Wednesday, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson called on residents to “resist” the Trump administration’s push to ramp up immigration enforcement across the nation, as reported by the Chicago Tribune.

During a press conference, Johnson criticized President Donald Trump’s decision to send federal troops to manage the unrest in Los Angeles triggered by actions against Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE). He described these federal operations as a “war against our culture” and encouraged city residents to take a stand, according to the Tribune.

“I depend on everyone in Chicago to stand against this moment. If certain vulnerable groups are targeted now, others will be next,” Johnson remarked. He emphasized the importance of taking action through various means—be it legal methods, protests, or simply speaking out. “Look. [Trump] is misusing his powers. We’ve warned people about this, and you all know it,” he added.

Johnson’s office has yet to reply to inquiries from a news outlet regarding this issue.

Officials in Chicago anticipate an impending ICE operation, with Johnson’s Chief of Staff Christina Pasion Zayas informing reporters that federal agents might be targeting workplaces, utilizing “tactical teams” and “mini tanks” within the city.

In 2019, there were approximately 425,000 undocumented immigrants in Illinois, a figure that has likely grown since the Biden administration took office. Despite budget restrictions, Chicago has reportedly devoted 1 billion dollars to support immigrant populations, with 600 million dollars allocated since 2022.

Following anti-ICE protests on Tuesday, 17 people were reportedly arrested as demonstrators confronted police in downtown Chicago. These protests involved clashes with officers and damage to police vehicles.

Chicago police have stated that they will not assist in immigration enforcement, with Police Chief Larry Snelling reiterating that local officers have not worked with federal agents—”that’s not what we do,” he remarked.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raul condemned Trump’s deployment of military personnel to manage unrest in Los Angeles, emphasizing that such actions—carried out without California leaders’ consent—are illegal and undemocratic.

Meanwhile, California Democratic leaders are holding the President accountable for the unrest. Governor Gavin Newsom recently stated that Trump’s actions have inflicted “trauma on our community,” while Representative Maxine Waters expressed similar sentiments during a CNN interview.

On Thursday, Democratic Illinois Governor JB Pritzker appeared before the House Oversight Committee, aligning with fellow “sanctuary” state governors, such as those from Minnesota and New York, to discuss their shared policies.