CHICAGO (AP) — The sight of armed, camouflaged and masked Border Patrol agents making arrests near famous downtown Chicago landmarks has amplified concerns about the Trump administration’s growing federal intervention across U.S. cities. As Memphis, Tennessee, and Portland, Oregon, brace for a federal law enforcement surge, residents in the nation’s third-largest city met a brazen weekend escalation of immigration enforcement tactics with anger, fear, and fresh claims of discrimination.
“ It looks un-American,” said Chicago Alderman Brandon Reilly, who represents downtown on the City Council. He deemed the Sunday display a “photo opp” for President Donald Trump, echoing other leaders.
Trump has called the expansion of federal immigration agents and National Guard troops into American cities necessary, blasting Democrats for crime and lax immigration policies. Following a crime crackdown in the District of Columbia and immigration enforcement in Los Angeles, he’s referred to Portland as “war-ravaged” and threatened apocalyptic force in Chicago.
“ Whether it takes place here in the city or the suburbs, it’s all the same to us,” Border Patrol agent Gregory Bovino said Sunday as he walked Chicago streets with dozens of agents.
Chicagoans were already uneasy after a federal immigration crackdown began earlier this month, targeting immigrant-heavy and largely Latino areas, including through traffic stops. The presence of dozens of Border Patrol agents in upscale neighborhoods heightened tensions significantly.
Activists and elected leaders are particularly concerned about discriminatory stops, especially after the Supreme Court lifted restrictions on roving patrols in LA, allowing immigration agents to stop individuals based on race, language, job, or location.
In one reported incident, a Latino family of four was led away by federal agents near the popular “Cloud Gate” sculpture, commonly called “The Bean.” Veronica Castro of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights condemned the operation as a stark escalation by the Trump administration.
U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia noted that agents appear to be profiling based on looks. Bovino stated that agents would go after “anyone who is here illegally,” factoring in a person’s appearance into their calculations.
As federal enforcement ramped up, activists followed the agents, including Shirley Zuniga, who left her birthday brunch to protest the increased presence of law enforcement, stating, “I’m celebrating my people.”
In Portland, Democratic Attorney General Dan Rayfield filed a motion in federal court seeking to block the Trump administration's deployment of the National Guard, describing it as an abuse of power and a disservice to communities. Meanwhile, in Memphis, residents express concerns that the military presence will deter them from seeking help, exacerbating community fears amidst a backdrop of rising violent crime.
Across all three cities, tensions are high as community members and leaders press against perceived federal overreach and fight for the rights of vulnerable populations.
“ It looks un-American,” said Chicago Alderman Brandon Reilly, who represents downtown on the City Council. He deemed the Sunday display a “photo opp” for President Donald Trump, echoing other leaders.
Trump has called the expansion of federal immigration agents and National Guard troops into American cities necessary, blasting Democrats for crime and lax immigration policies. Following a crime crackdown in the District of Columbia and immigration enforcement in Los Angeles, he’s referred to Portland as “war-ravaged” and threatened apocalyptic force in Chicago.
“ Whether it takes place here in the city or the suburbs, it’s all the same to us,” Border Patrol agent Gregory Bovino said Sunday as he walked Chicago streets with dozens of agents.
Chicagoans were already uneasy after a federal immigration crackdown began earlier this month, targeting immigrant-heavy and largely Latino areas, including through traffic stops. The presence of dozens of Border Patrol agents in upscale neighborhoods heightened tensions significantly.
Activists and elected leaders are particularly concerned about discriminatory stops, especially after the Supreme Court lifted restrictions on roving patrols in LA, allowing immigration agents to stop individuals based on race, language, job, or location.
In one reported incident, a Latino family of four was led away by federal agents near the popular “Cloud Gate” sculpture, commonly called “The Bean.” Veronica Castro of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights condemned the operation as a stark escalation by the Trump administration.
U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia noted that agents appear to be profiling based on looks. Bovino stated that agents would go after “anyone who is here illegally,” factoring in a person’s appearance into their calculations.
As federal enforcement ramped up, activists followed the agents, including Shirley Zuniga, who left her birthday brunch to protest the increased presence of law enforcement, stating, “I’m celebrating my people.”
In Portland, Democratic Attorney General Dan Rayfield filed a motion in federal court seeking to block the Trump administration's deployment of the National Guard, describing it as an abuse of power and a disservice to communities. Meanwhile, in Memphis, residents express concerns that the military presence will deter them from seeking help, exacerbating community fears amidst a backdrop of rising violent crime.
Across all three cities, tensions are high as community members and leaders press against perceived federal overreach and fight for the rights of vulnerable populations.
