Chicago Mayor Johnson has been called to testify with the mayors of New York City, Denver, and Boston. They will do so in front of the House Oversight Committee with regards to their sanctuary city policies. The hearing is scheduled for February 11th.
Mayor Johnson reaffirmed Chicago’s welcoming status “regardless of who is in the White House” during a press conference on Tuesday, January 28. Alongside the mayor was CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling who stated that more than 100 people have been arrested in ICE raids that swept the Chicago area as part the larger trend of immigration enforcement across the country. Mayor Johnson has also been called to testify before Congress on the policies on sanctuary cities and their impact on the ability of federal authorities to make arrests.
This call to testify regarding the sanctuary city status comes as a result of this latest wave immigration enforcement due to President Trump’s use of executive orders. However, many communities are beginning to feel the fallout of this new trend of immigration. One restaurant in Chicago’s Little Village, Nuevo Leon, reported seeing a 60 percent decline in business over the past week. Laura Gutierrez, the owner, blames the atmosphere of fear created by this wave of arrests for said decline.
“We stand with them,” Gutierrez said about those in the Little Village neighborhood who were arrested. “We are nothing without them. Little Village is everybody who lives here.” All of this comes as ICE arrested 1,179 people nationwide on Monday, January 27th. 100 of which were a part of the aforementioned group from Chicago.
As always, ILBSG actively monitors ongoing U.S. immigration news. If you have questions about any U.S. immigration related issue, contact us. Working with an experienced attorney ensures you get the right advice based on the most recent laws. In an ever-evolving immigration policy landscape, it’s particularly critical.
