The Trump administration's intensified crackdown on illegal immigrants is spreading fear across Chicago's immigrant-heavy neighborhoods. Recent raids and deportations, often conducted under the watchful eyes of TV cameras, have left many feeling trapped in their homes. Communities such as Little Village and Hermosa are on high alert, with posters warning of impending raids, and residents like Maria, a long-term undocumented immigrant, taking extra precautions to avoid encounters with immigration agents.
Pastor Marvin del Ríos of Starting Point Baptist Church has opened his doors to shelter migrants, vowing only to permit ICE agents entry with a judicial warrant. The church serves as a refuge for individuals fleeing violence and discrimination in their home countries and assists them in navigating legal processes.
Despite the fear, some believe Trump's business acumen might eventually temper the deportations to avoid harming the economy. However, the immediate impact remains unsettling, with undocumented workers, who constitute a significant portion of the labor force, feeling the pressure. The crackdown has reinforced the precariousness of their situation, forcing them to live in constant fear of sudden deportation.
