Chicago Immigrants Brace for Trump’s Deportation Crackdown

CHICAGO (AP) — Immigrant communities in Chicago and other major U.S. cities are preparing for a wave of deportations as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office. Reports of a targeted operation in the Chicago area have heightened fears among undocumented residents, many of whom are making contingency plans for potential family separations.

Rev. Homero Sanchez of St. Rita of Cascia Parish on Chicago’s South Side said the anxiety in his congregation is palpable. “They feel they have been targeted for who they are,” Sanchez said during a Sunday Mass dedicated to solidarity with immigrants. “They’re feeling like something is going to happen. This is not their city because of the threat.”

Federal immigration officers are expected to target more than 300 individuals with histories of violent crimes, according to an official who spoke on condition of anonymity. The operation, which could begin as early as Tuesday, will focus on the Chicago area and continue throughout the week, weather permitting. Temperatures in Chicago have plummeted to 6 degrees Fahrenheit (-14.4 degrees Celsius), adding to the challenges.

Trump’s administration has signaled a broader approach to immigration enforcement compared to President Joe Biden’s policies, which prioritized individuals with serious criminal records or national security risks. Trump’s aides have also indicated that non-targeted individuals, such as spouses or roommates of those arrested, could face deportation.

Chicago, a self-declared sanctuary city since the 1980s, has repeatedly reaffirmed its commitment to protecting immigrants. Last week, the City Council rejected a proposal to allow local police to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Mayor Brandon Johnson reiterated his support for immigrant communities, stating on X, “Our commitment to protecting and supporting this city remains unwavering.”

Cardinal Blase Cupich of the Archdiocese of Chicago also condemned the planned deportations. “The reports being circulated of planned mass deportations targeting the Chicago area are not only profoundly disturbing but also wound us deeply,” Cupich said during a visit to Mexico City.

Immigrant rights advocates, including Democratic U.S. Reps. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia and Delia Ramirez, have urged calm and preparedness. Ramirez plans to distribute flyers in immigrant-heavy neighborhoods with information on legal rights, while Garcia emphasized the importance of remaining vigilant. “We won’t let our guard down in Chicago,” Garcia wrote on X.

Carlos, a 56-year-old undocumented immigrant from Mexico, has lived in the Chicago area for decades. He and his family have taken precautions, including installing security cameras and designating power of attorney to trusted friends. “If people come to the house, don’t open the door,” Carlos said. “Ask who it is. Don’t open it unless they have an order.”

As the Trump administration prepares for what it calls the largest mass-deportation operation in U.S. history, immigrant communities and their allies are bracing for the impact. Advocacy groups are organizing legal workshops, and religious leaders are offering support to those who may be affected.