Chicago Protests: ICE Actions, Police Collaboration, and the Fight for Immigrant Rights

Protests Erupt in Chicago Over ICE Actions: Demonstrators Criticize Police Collaboration Chicago, IL – On Monday evening, June 10, 2025, protesters took to the streets of Chicago to voice their outrage over recent actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The demonstrations, which coincided with similar protests in Los Angeles, focused on ICE's detention of asylum seekers and allegations of collaboration between ICE and the Chicago Police Department (CPD). Video footage shows protesters holding signs reading "Abolish ICE" and "Immigrants Are Welcome Here." One protester, Rabbi Michael Ben Yosef of the Chicago Activist Coalition for Justice, stated, "Chicago police is under an ordinance, and that ordinance has to be carried out to its fullest." The protests highlight concerns about the treatment of asylum seekers and the role of local law enforcement in immigration enforcement. U.S. Rep. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia (D-Chicago and Suburbs) also spoke at a rally, stating, "This isn't about safety. This is about control." His comments underscore the political dimensions of the protests, framing the issue as a struggle over power and control rather than a matter of public safety. The CPD maintains that officers acted in accordance with Chicago's Welcoming City ordinance, which aims to protect immigrant communities. However, the protests underscore the ongoing tension between federal immigration enforcement and local efforts to create welcoming environments for immigrants. The demonstrations serve as a powerful symbol of the ongoing debate over immigration policy and its impact on local communities.