CHICAGO (AP) — Latino leaders expressed dismay Saturday over recent immigration enforcement operations in Chicago that resulted in a fatal shooting during a traffic stop and the arrest of an immigrant at a barbershop. These incidents also included a tense standoff between protesters and ICE agents at an immigration processing facility.
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer fatally shot Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez, who attempted to evade arrest by driving his car at officers and dragging one of them. On the same day, Willian Gimenez was detained by ICE agents while driving in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood. His attorney, Kevin Herrera, mentioned that he is facing retaliation for his involvement in a lawsuit against local leaders and an off-duty police officer regarding their treatment of immigrant workers. Although Gimenez holds a work permit and is pursuing an asylum claim, he was arrested for allegedly being in the country illegally.
Rep. Chuy Garcia, a Democrat, highlighted the troubling nature of these incidents, indicating that they raise questions about ICE’s authority and actions. In response to the mounting anger, demonstrators rallied outside the ICE facility, engaging in clashes with law enforcement.
Further amplifying the discourse, Democratic Rep. Delia Ramirez called for a comprehensive investigation into the shooting of Villegas-Gonzalez. The ongoing Operations Midway Blitz by the Department of Homeland Security targets sanctuary laws in Illinois and has led to increased anxiety within immigrant communities, especially as celebrations for Mexican Independence Day approach.
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer fatally shot Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez, who attempted to evade arrest by driving his car at officers and dragging one of them. On the same day, Willian Gimenez was detained by ICE agents while driving in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood. His attorney, Kevin Herrera, mentioned that he is facing retaliation for his involvement in a lawsuit against local leaders and an off-duty police officer regarding their treatment of immigrant workers. Although Gimenez holds a work permit and is pursuing an asylum claim, he was arrested for allegedly being in the country illegally.
Rep. Chuy Garcia, a Democrat, highlighted the troubling nature of these incidents, indicating that they raise questions about ICE’s authority and actions. In response to the mounting anger, demonstrators rallied outside the ICE facility, engaging in clashes with law enforcement.
Further amplifying the discourse, Democratic Rep. Delia Ramirez called for a comprehensive investigation into the shooting of Villegas-Gonzalez. The ongoing Operations Midway Blitz by the Department of Homeland Security targets sanctuary laws in Illinois and has led to increased anxiety within immigrant communities, especially as celebrations for Mexican Independence Day approach.
