CHICAGO — Latino leaders expressed dismay over recent immigration enforcement operations in Chicago that resulted in a fatal shooting and arrests that have raised alarms throughout the community.
An Immigration, Customs and Enforcement (ICE) officer fatally shot a man, Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez, who made an attempt to escape arrest on Friday by driving his car towards officers, leading to his death shortly thereafter at a local hospital.
Meanwhile, a separate incident on the same day saw Willian Gimenez detained outside a barbershop in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood. His attorney suggests this arrest was a response to Gimenez's involvement in legal actions against local leaders and entities regarding treatment of immigrant workers.
Officials from ICE stated that Gimenez was apprehended for being in the country illegally, despite having a work permit and being in the process of seeking asylum.
Rep. Chuy Garcia voiced strong concerns about these events, stating, “If ICE can kill one of our neighbors in broad daylight … what’s to stop them from getting any one of us?” This sentiment was echoed during a planned protest outside an ICE facility, which turned tense with multiple clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement.
Rep. Delia Ramirez also called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting and urged community unity against such enforcement actions.
The Department of Homeland Security’s “Operation Midway Blitz” has been criticized for targeting immigrants under sanctuary laws in Illinois, leading Governor JB Pritzker to openly oppose the continuation of these operations.
As communities prepare for upcoming celebrations, including Mexican Independence Day on September 16, fears of increased enforcement have compounded the anxiety felt by immigrants and their advocates.
