Agencies, including the FBI, began the operation in a Democratic-governed state; the number of detainees was not disclosed
announced on Sunday (26 January 2025) the start of an immigration inspection operation in Chicago (Illinois), involving multiple agencies.
In a note published in , the (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, in English) informed that the operations would be carried out in partnership with other agencies of the Department of Justice, such as the (Federal Department of Investigation, in English), the ( Department of Combating Drugs, in English), the (Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive, in English), the (Border and Customs Control, in English) and those of the USA (Delegate Service, in English).
“ICE, along with federal partners including the FBI, ATF, DEA, CBP and U.S. Marshals, began conducting targeted and enhanced operations today [domingo, 26.jan] in Chicago to enforce U.S. immigration law and preserve public safety and national security by keeping potentially dangerous criminal aliens out of our communities.”he stated.
Justice Department officials told the newspaper The New York Times that the agencies responsible for complying with the measure would carry out such operations in the coming days. The number of people arrested in Chicago and other cities, however, was not disclosed.
Chicago authorities also informed the newspaper who had not been involved in the operation.
The measures are part of the effort by the Donald Trump (Republican Party) government, last week, to arrest and deport illegal immigrants in the country, as reiterated during the election campaign.
The country’s Justice Department said its acting attorney general, Emil Bove, traveled to Chicago to oversee work to address what it called “national emergency”. Bove added that the Department of Justice works to “secure the border, stop the invasion and make America safe again”these.
In reaction to the operations in his state, the governor of Illinois, JB Pritzker (Democratic Party), said in an CNN that will cooperate with federal authorities regarding undocumented foreign violent criminals. Pritzker emphasized, however, that state authorities will not participate in any operations against immigrants who do not fit this profile.
“People who are law-abiding, who work, who have families here, who have been here for a decade or two, who are our neighbors and family. These people are not causing problems in our country. […] What we need is for them to have a path to citizenship.”he stated.
Asked if he was afraid of being sued in court for failing to comply with regulations related to immigrants, the governor stated that he would follow the law. Last week, the Justice Department released a statement indicating that it may investigate and prosecute officials in any jurisdictions who refuse to assist in enforcement and deportation operations.
“We will follow Illinois laws and federal laws. And we hope they do the same. I’m very afraid that they won’t follow the law.”he added. The governor also said that this note released by the Department of Justice has the sole intention of “threaten everyone”, since compliance with federal determinations by the States is legally guaranteed.
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