On Jan. 20, newly re-elected President Donald Trump signed several executive orders, one of which included the order to start the removal of undocumented immigrants without warrants.

Trump stated that undocumented immigrants, including criminals, are invading the country, emphasizing that public safety is his priority. The administration has already restricted legal immigration pathways by deactivating programs like CBP One, which allowed immigrants and asylum seekers to schedule legal entry appointments. This aligns with its stance that individuals should use established legal processes to enter the U.S.

In the last week, the administration has made moves to carry out these operations using military resources to enforce his executive order.

So-called sanctuary states like California, Illinois, and other areas are not cooperating with ICE in the process of removing undocumented immigrants. In fact, the Illinois Trust Act, enacted in 2017 and amended in 2021, restricts local law enforcement from detaining individuals solely based on their immigration status without a judicial warrant, and limits the ability of local agencies to collaborate with federal immigration authorities. In contrast, Texas, Georgia, Indiana, and Florida are among the states that support and plan to enforce Donald Trump’s executive order.

“Let me start by being clear that when we’re talking about violent criminals who’ve been convicted and who are undocumented, we don’t want them in our state. We want them out of the country. We hope they do get deported, and if that’s who they’re picking up, we’re all for it,” Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said in speaking with CNN’s “State of the Union.”

However, he expressed concern that ICE may not follow the law.

“I’m very afraid that they will not follow the law. We know that if they show up with warrants to take people away, we’re going to hand them over,” Pritzker said. “But we also have a law in the books in Illinois that says that our local law enforcement will stand up for those law-abiding undocumented people in our state who are doing the right thing. We’re not going to help federal officials just drag them away because somebody pointed at them and said, ‘Oh, that person’s brown’ or ‘That person’s not from here. Check it out. Maybe they’re undocumented.’”

Many undocumented immigrants work in labor-intensive jobs that Americans do not want. This includes agricultural work in extreme weather conditions, such as on farms in California.

One farmer interviewed by journalist Don Lemon stated that if most immigrants were removed, especially those he employs, the United States would run short on food because these workers are responsible for harvesting and distributing goods to retailers.

Recent reports indicate that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has intensified operations in the Chicago area, targeting communities with significant Latino populations. While specific mentions of Elgin, Aurora, and West Chicago are limited, there is evidence of increased enforcement activities in the region:

• Elgin: An incident in Elgin involved U.S. Marshals and local law enforcement entering a home to serve an arrest warrant. During this operation, an undocumented individual was taken into custody, raising concerns among local residents.
• Chicago: ICE has conducted “enhanced targeted operations” in Chicago, leading to numerous arrests. These actions have heightened anxiety within the city’s immigrant communities.

While direct references to ICE targeting Elgin, Aurora, and West Chicago are scarce, the broader increase in enforcement in the Chicago metropolitan area suggests that nearby communities with substantial Latino populations may also experience heightened ICE activity.

Regarding the use of unmarked vehicles, reports from other regions have noted that ICE agents often operate in unmarked vehicles and may employ deceptive tactics during enforcement actions. For example, in Santa Barbara, California, agents in unmarked vehicles have been reported conducting operations.

While specific reports of ICE agents in black SUVs targeting individuals based on appearance in Illinois are not readily available, the use of unmarked vehicles is a known practice in various locations.

The fear of seeing ICE agents has led some undocumented people to take precautionary measures. Concerns continue to rise as many undocumented workers worry about being detained and separated from their loved ones.

“I am afraid to go to work, and I’m scared that they just might judge me by the color of my skin and view me as undocumented,” one individual, who requested anonymity, said.

Others support the deportation of criminals, but worry about broader implications for the Latino community.

“It’s a good thing that criminals who are undocumented are being deported because we don’t want society to be dangerous, but I didn’t expect Trump to view every Latino as illegal, and now my chances of being deported are high,” another anonymous source said.

Nonprofit organizations and advocacy groups are trying to protect immigrants by distributing “Know Your Rights” cards that recommend:

• Remain silent if you wish to exercise your Fifth Amendment rights.
• Deny consent to a search.
• If arrested, request legal counsel.

As deportation efforts continue, debates over immigration enforcement and civil rights remain at the forefront. While supporters argue these measures enhance public safety, critics raise concerns about potential racial profiling and the broader impact on immigrant communities. The long-term effects of these policies remain to be seen.

Stay tuned: the Wildcat Chronicle is working on an article about the local implications of Trump’s crackdown on immigration and what his administration’s executive orders might mean for West Chicago community.