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Advocates and Elected Officials Warn Undocumented Community to Be Prepared and Stay Protected
January 18, 2025
CHICAGO – January 18, 2025 – Today, The Resurrection Project (TRP), elected officials, and immigration advocates addressed the community as the nation prepares for President-elect Donald Trump to be sworn in for his second presidential term. The advocates and officials addressed recent reports that indicate that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), officials are preparing for a significant enforcement operation targeting Chicago’s immigrant community.
Although it is not clear how, when, or who may be targeted, Chicago’s immigrant community is bracing for a period of uncertainty which underscores the importance of accessible, quality information so that everyone knows their rights how to prepare for an emergency, and how to navigate potential interactions with immigration enforcement officials.
Illinois and Chicago value their immigrant communities and have programs and policies such as the Welcoming City Ordinance, which makes Chicago a sanctuary city. We are thankful for the support of local organizations and elected officials who joined us today to help inform our communities as to what needs to be done to protected. In the event of ICE raids, members of the public are being urged to report official activity to trpij.org/reportice to help support impacted community members. Anyone can call the ICIRR family support hotline at 1-855-435-7693 for emergency support with immigration issues.
U.S.Rep. Jesús «Chuy» García stated,»Our community has faced attacks since the 1960s. The current threats we face are not new; it’s because our community has united and responded to these attacks that we now have ordinances in Chicago, Cook County, and the state of Illinois to protect us. We continue to assert that immigrants are beneficial to this city, Illinois, and the United States as a whole. We will continue to reject the claims made by Donald Trump and others that suggest we are prone to criminal behavior. That is a falsehood. We are gathered here today because we are being tested once again. This test requires our community to remain calm.»
U.S. Rep. Delia C. Ramirez (D-IL) stated, “We cannot allow fear to immobilize us. While there will be moments when we experience fear, succumbing to it means letting hatred succeed, and we will not allow that to happen. Instead, this is our opportunity to unite and take action. Chicago will be a model for cities nationwide.»
“TRP has been preparing immigrant communities for the second Trump administration, which is a situation I wish we were not facing. However, we have always responded quickly during challenging times,” said Eréndira Rendón, vice president of Immigrant Justice at The Resurrection Project. “In Illinois, our immigrant communities benefit from support by the state and cities like Chicago. TRP will collaborate with local governments and our network of non-profit partners to assist vulnerable community members affected by the administration’s harmful agenda. Together, we will uplift immigrants’ contributions and advocate for justice for all.”
Jose Frausto, executive director of the Chicago Worker’s Collaborative said,“The message to our community is clear: stay informed and empowered. I know the challenges we face as undocumented individuals during encounters with authorities can be daunting. Yet, allowing fear to take hold only gives them power over us. We must stand together and demonstrate our resilience. Together, we are stronger, and together we can overcome these challenges.”
Thank you for your continued support:U.S.Rep. Jesús «Chuy» García, U.S. Rep. Delia C. Ramirez (D-IL), State Representative Lisa Hernandez, Senator Javier Cervantes, Senator Celina Villanueva, Senator Graciela Guzman, Alderperson Jessie Fuentes, Alderperson Jeylu Gutierrez, Alderperson Andre Vasquez,
Alderperson Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth, Office of Alderperson Mike Rodriguez, Office of Commissioner Frank Aguilar, Cook County Commissioner Alma Anaya, Cook County Commissioner Anthony Quezada. The Latino Policy forum, Illinois Workers in Action, Centro de Trabajadores Unidos, United Workers’ Center, Illinois Latino Agenda, Chicago Workers Collaborative, Southwest Organizing Project, Casa Central.
As a central element of TRP’s Prepare and Protect Campaign, we have launched a new website featuring a wide range of resources, including a comprehensive toolkit for immigrant families. This toolkit helps them protect their rights, prepare for emergencies, and navigate potential legal interactions with confidence and knowledge, Know Your Rights — TRP IMMIGRANT JUSTICE. Additionally, we will be expanding our removal defense team, hiring a deportation defense organizer, launching rapid response legal workshops, and organizing to increase funding for Illinois Access to Justice.
Resources
TRP’s Immigrant Justice Website
Legal Service Providers:
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The Resurrection Project (TRP) builds trusting relationships to educate and propel individuals, immigrants, and families to achieve their social and economic aspirations, stable homes, and equitable participation in their community. TRP is a leading provider of immigration services, affordable housing, and financial education on Chicago’s Southwest side.
For more than three decades TRP has worked to improve lives by creating wealth, building assets, and engaging residents to be catalysts for change. Rooted in the Pilsen community, TRP’s impact now extends across the City of Chicago and through the State of Illinois; we are making steady progress towards leveraging and preserving more than $1 billion in community wealth by 2025.