in Chicago, “sanctuary city” for immigrants, the standoff is engaged with the Trump administration

Fear has set in in Chicago as the new US president promised to deport millions of undocumented immigrants.

Published on 22/01/2025 08:44

Updated on 22/01/2025 09:18

Reading time: 2min

Lake Michigan in Chicago, August 2024. (TANNEN MAURY / AFP)
Lake Michigan in Chicago, August 2024. (TANNEN MAURY / AFP)

Donald Trump wants to deport “millions of undocumented immigrants”. And his administration speaks of actions “across the country”. From his first steps, the new President of the United States did not hesitate to repeat his message about his fight for the expulsion of millions of illegal immigrants. “As soon as I am sworn in, I will launch the largest deportation program in American history“, he assured during the campaign for his re-election on November 5.

One of the cities targeted by the new president of the United States is none other than Chicago, described by some as a “sanctuary city” which protects illegal immigrants. There, fear set in. Some undocumented immigrants do not go out to work, they are afraid of being arrested. Rumors are already saying that raids have taken place in the southern districts of the city.

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The mayor of Chicago, Brandon Johnson, does not intend to let this happen: “We are going to stand firm. We are going to protect undocumented immigrants. We are going to protect black people, Latino people, Asian people… The hostility that is in this political space is unreasonable and dangerous. We are going to protect people, no matter what. whoever sits in the White House.”

Since 2017, Chicago municipal police have no longer been allowed to cooperate with federal immigration services. The mayor has just reiterated some instructions: we don't let the feds enter people's homes without a warrant. The standoff is underway with the administration of Donald Trump.

The person responsible for implementing the expulsion program of the new American president, Tom Homan, does not understand this resistance. “Evictions target criminals firsthe said on Fox News, no one can be against our measures”.

Before insisting: “How many young women will have to be raped, murdered and burned alive for the 'sanctuary cities' to understand that this is a matter of public safety? We just want to stop the bad guys! We know that 'They're going to try to sue us every day, but that won't stop us from doing the job,' adds the one nicknamed the “border tsar”.

Immigrant defense associations are also mobilizing. They go through businesses and neighborhoods to explain their rights and advise immigrants not to answer when asked if they have papers.


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