Targeted immigration enforcement efforts coming to Chicago

Chicago (CBS) – A targeted immigration enforcement operation by multiple agencies was launched Sunday in Chicago, with the city's top Trump administration official overseeing it all.

One of President Trump's many campaign slogans was, “Promised, Guaranteed.” Now, after months of announcing the deportation of undocumented immigrants in Chicago, the first images of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have emerged.

Multiple sources told CBS News Chicago that the man on the ice has active warrants.

“What we're seeing is a coordinated effort to exhume people who have criminal charges against them or criminal convictions who are in the country illegally,” said CBS News Chicago security expert Phil Andrew. “Government What is being said is that they are targeting people who have these records to expunge them, and that's what they're promising in these early stages of the new administration.”

Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, appointed by President Trump to oversee the efforts of the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Marshals Service and federal prosecutors, Two officials familiar with the operation told CBS News.

Boeuf said in a statement:

“This morning, I had the privilege of observing the brave men and women of the Department deploying under lockdown with the Department of Homeland Security to address a national emergency caused by four years of failed immigration policy. USM and federal prosecutors are working with the Department of Homeland Security to ensure borders and make America safe again using all the tools available to address barriers and other illegal obstacles to our efforts to protect our homeland.

Border Czar Tom Homan was embedded with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents during the operation.

“You're going to see those numbers steadily increase, the number of arrests across the country as we open up the aperture,” Homan said. “Right now, it's focused on public safety threats, national security threats. It's a smaller population. ”

It was unclear late Sunday where enforcement efforts were taking place or what specific actions were taken. However, ICE confirmed that it made an immigration arrest in the city on Sunday with the assistance of the Department of Justice's law enforcement agencies, which were recently granted immigration powers.

ICE said in a statement:

“U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, along with federal partners including the FBI, ATF, DEA, CBP and the U.S. Marshals Service, today began an enhanced targeting operation in Chicago to enforce U.S. immigration laws and keep potential Security and National Security to protect public safety and national security from dangerous criminal aliens in our communities.”

The FBI said in a statement:

“The FBI, along with our Department of Justice partners, are assisting the Department of Homeland Security and other federal law enforcement partners with immigration enforcement efforts.”

Chicago's drug enforcement agency shared in an article on X:

“DEA, along with our @TheJusticedept partners, are assisting @DHSGOV and other federal law enforcement partners with immigration enforcement.”

Andrew said the FBI is assisting the law enforcement operation, possibly because it has useful information and may be investigating some of the people targeted by the law enforcement operation.

He added that immigrant communities, including many with undocumented populations, largely support such actions against people with criminal records or charges.

“I think there's broad consensus that people with criminal records, certainly violent crimes here illegally, there's not a lot of support for keeping them,” Andrew said. “But there are people here with minor offenses, or actually It's very peaceful, interactive and integrated into the community, there's probably not a lot of support for scoundrels, and if the government is smart about it, they're re-targeting people with violent criminal records.”

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he supports any mandate to remove convicted criminals without a record.

“If that's who they're picking up, that's everybody,” Pritzker said on CNN on Sunday.

However, Pritzker expressed concern that the Trump administration won't stop there.

“But what they're also doing – and this is very troubling – they're going after people who are law-abiding, who are retaining jobs, who have family here, who may have been here for decades or twenty years – and often they are Our neighbors and our friends,” Pritzker said. “Why should we follow them?

Homan confirmed that other undocumented people will be subject to ICE's deportation efforts. “If you are in the country illegally, you are on the table,” he said Sunday.

Chicago police said “the department does not assist federal immigration authorities with enforcement actions based solely on immigration status” and “does not record immigration status and does not share such information with federal authorities.” This is in compliance with the city of Chicago's municipal code, which includes welcoming city ​​ordinance.

CPD has maintained that position despite Trump administration officials saying those at the state and local level who don't help federal efforts could suffer consequences.

Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a statement on Sunday:

“Reports of ICE enforcement activity in Chicago today, Sunday, January 26, have been confirmed. Per city code, Chicago police officers were not involved in this immigration enforcement activity. My team and I are in close contact with city officials, including CPD .It is imperative that all Chicagoans know their constitutional rights and share guidance on your rights with your neighbors and communities.”

Law enforcement was working on Sunday as tens of thousands Protest against Trump's immigration policies in downtown Chicago Saturday – called on the Trump administration to end violence in Gaza and halt deportation plans.

On Saturday, some immigrant rights groups in the city also filed a federal lawsuit against the administration, claiming The President's Immigration Attack Plan Targeting the city alone for its sanctuary status violates the U.S. Constitution.

Alderman fears people's rights will be violated

Despite knowing that Operation Ice was inevitable, news that they actually took place in the early hours of Sunday sent shockwaves through several immigrant communities.

CBS News Chicago has learned that some of the arrests occurred in neighborhoods such as Portage Park and Logan Square. Michael Rodriguez (22nd), who represents much of the hamlet, confirmed that he had not heard of any action that took place in the community on Sunday.

This is something other local community groups have validated as well.

Sources said most of the operations that did take place took place before dawn, with some continuing into the evening.

While it's unclear where the next immigration enforcement action will occur, ALD is still taking place. Rodriguez said the biggest concern is for those whose rights might be violated in these scans.

“The federal government is not very clear. There are some indications that they are going after targeted people, but in our experience, whenever you go after anyone, other people, no matter how innocent – obviously innocent – get in trouble,” Rowe said. “So these horrific attacks are attacks, these sinister attacks are unjust and they are causing chaos in our communities and it's not right – and we're going to fight back against it,” Rodriguez said. ”

Like many local officials who oppose immigration actions in Ald Chicago. Rodriguez encouraged those who fear being targeted to know their rights.

Over the past few weeks, many organizations have been spending time educating about these rights. It's an effort that shows no signs of slowing down for the hamlet.

Camilo Montoya-Galvez contributed to this report.