ARCHER HEIGHTS, Ill. (WGN) — Community activists say at least three people were detained by ICE on the Southwest Side of Chicago Sunday afternoon.
According to the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), a man, who residents say is a local flower vendor, was taken into custody near the intersection of 50th Street and Pulaski Avenue in Archer Heights.
Surveillance video from a nearby restaurant shows the man being detained by multiple individuals wearing bulletproof vests labelled ‘police’ and ‘federal agent.’
“He’s been a vendor here for quite some time,” Celena Morin said. “You see him consistently, especially on the weekends. [He’s] a very sweet gentleman, never causing problems with anyone, very respectful.”
Activists say at least two other detentions occurred in the area, including one at 47th Street and Archer Avenue. Video shows a man was marched to a vehicle by armed officers.
“We helped build this city through our labor and work. People may be afraid, but also, they’re determined to say, ‘this is our home, this is where we belong. We won’t tolerate our people getting kidnapped,” Corina Pedraza with ICIRR said.
Congressman Jesus ‘Chuy’ Garcia condemned the detainments.
“This is the type of racial, ethnic profiling that is going on, and they are pursuing people who are humble, who may not speak English and aren’t a threat to anyone,” he said. “They didn’t have a court order to pick up someone who sells flowers on a street corner and has been doing it for years.”
These detainments come just one day after thousands of protestors rallied against President Donald Trump’s plans to send federal troops to Chicago for expanded immigration enforcement.
“This is not going after the worst of the worst as Trump or Secretary Noem have tried to justify. This is racial profiling, it’s discriminatory, it’s wrong and is a potential threat to the civil rights of everyone in this country,” Garcia said.
WGN-TV has reached out to ICE for comments but have not heard back.
Brónagh Tumulty
Source link