CHICAGO – State Senator Graciela Guzmán released the following statement after ICE has conducted raids in Chicago and Los Angeles:

“It is extremely heartbreaking to witness the inhumane actions of ICE and the federal government toward our immigrant community, which has escalated in the past week. Children’s parents are being taken away from them, leaving them in extremely unstable situations without access to their basic necessities and love from their families, all because those in power believe they are less worthy of the basic human rights that all of us are entitled to. In the United States, every person must be given the right of due process under federal law, and it is terrifying that the current administration is acting as if they are above these statutes. Moreover, it is heart wrenching that their illegal actions are directly terrorizing the community I call home—the hundreds of thousands of immigrant families who came to this country for better opportunities, and are now facing some of the most egregious human rights violations we have seen in recent history.

“In response to these draconian actions, our community and folks throughout the country have rallied to the defense of their neighbors. They have organized protests in front of attempted ICE raids, demonstrating just how many people are appalled by these detentions. It is inspiring to witness the power our community is wielding against these tyrannical initiatives to divide and suppress us, and I am proud to be a part of the movement that is standing up to this administration and telling them, ‘No. This behavior is unacceptable, and we will not abandon our community—an attack on one of us is an attack on all of us.’  

“Chicago and LA are sanctuary cities, where all people, regardless of immigration status, are welcome and protected. It is appalling that the federal government is targeting these safe havens, instilling fear, and conducting raids against folks who, under these ordinances, are entitled to rights and protections. I am thankful for Chicago elected officials, who not only have taken a stance against these actions through their policy work, but also joined their community in the streets to peacefully protest ICE actions, and demonstrated their commitment to protecting our immigrant neighbors. I am proud to be a Chicagoan, and join with my community in solidarity against these unjust actions.

“While I stand in solidarity with my colleagues and neighbors protesting the recent ICE activity in our city and throughout the country, I decry the federal government’s escalation to crush peaceful gatherings. This is an escalation of force, a theatrical display from the federal administration. It is a tactic to threaten and scare us into not speaking out. I will keep working with colleagues to do everything in my power to protect our communities via the Trust Act and other laws we have in the state of Illinois.”