The presence of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in cities like Chicago has been a part of the national conversation for nearly two months now. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), ICE initiated “Operation Midway Blitz” on Sept. 8 in response to a hit-and-run car wreck caused by an undocumented immigrant in January.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, more than 500 individuals were detained in the Chicago area during the first two weeks of the federal immigration enforcement operation. In response, on Aug. 30, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order opposing any deployment of U.S. military, National Guard or militarized immigration enforcement in Chicago. The order also directed the Chicago Police Department not to assist federal or National Guard personnel with immigration enforcement activities.
According to Fox News, Chicago suburbs such as Skokie, Bolingbrook, Evanston and Maywood are making efforts to ensure residents are aware of their rights and local resources, as this deportment surge is expected to extend to surrounding suburbs of Chicago.
These deportation moments arrived in faulty timing as Hispanic Heritage month arrived shortly after the start of Operation Midway Blitz. CBS News states, “Chicago announced they would postpone celebrations due to Trump’s promises of an immigration crackdown in the city.”
“It was a painful decision, but holding El Grito Chicago at this time puts the safety of our community at stake – and that’s a risk we are unwilling to take,” said Jennifer Aguilar, organizer of the festival.
ICE’s presence eventually spread to the south suburbs and struck fear in the communities including Chicago suburb Blue Island. Blue Island reposted a statement from Jan. 21 on Sept. 16 stating that they will not be assisting ICE in federal immigration enforcement activities. According to the Chicago Tribune, a Blue Island resident was detained near the city’s Metra station at a stoplight. The city of Blue Island assisted the resident’s family by ensuring the safety of the family members, helping them recover documents from their vehicle and making sure the vehicle was not towed.
As these detainments, revolts and fears spread throughout the south suburbs, more worries and questions rise in our own H-F community.
Early this year, a statement was sent out by former superintendent Dr. Scott Wakeley, establishing that students’ and families’ immigration status will not be required to submit to the district, coordination with ICE will not take place and ICE will not be allowed on campus unless they hold a criminal warrant signed by a judge.
With the new presence of ICE, a new school year, and a new superintendent for the district, Dr. Jennifer Norrell, there were concerns if these priorities of H-F still stand. Due to the success of such precautionary measures, Norrell made the decision to uphold these measures until they became ineffective. H-F students and families are protected on campus by such procedures.
In the midst of these trying times, communities must be reminded that their rights still stand. For more information regarding your rights, see The American Civil Liberties Union’s website.
