Chicago alderpeople to question CPD about presence at ICE action
City Council members are calling for answers about the Chicago Police Department's involvement in an ICE operation last month in the South Loop.
The CPD responded to the scene when a group of activists and some alderpeople clashed with federal immigration agents outside an immigration facility on June 4, and many alderpeople have questioned why police were there. Some alderpeople are now demanding that the CPD explain.
The City Council Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights is holding a hearing Tuesday on the matter. Its chair and members said it is time for CPD to speak openly about why officers stayed on scene — despite Chicago's Welcoming City Ordinance prohibiting the CPD from participating in civil immigration enforcement operations or assisting ICE.
"What we are looking to do today is find out what part CPD may or may not have played in all of it, because CPD, the Chicago Police Department was called to the scene, and then depending on different accounts, either assisted in some sort or were there just in case there was some sort of mass gathering," said Ald. Andre Vasquez (40th), the committee's chairman. "We want to ensure that, no matter what, if you're a Chicagoan, whether you've been here one day or your whole life, we are here for you, we will be here to support you, and make sure that you don't have to live in fear just because the federal government is becoming more fascist by the day."
Leaders from both CPD and the city's Office of Emergency Management and Communications attended the hearing, which began at 10 a.m.
On June 4, ICE agents arrested 10 people who said they thought they were showing up for an immigration status appointment at the BI Incorporated building at 2245 S. Michigan Ave.
The BI Corporation operates the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program for immigrants, a program that allows ICE to monitor migrants facing immigration proceedings without placing them in custody — sometimes through electronic monitoring.
Nearly a month later, some activists are outraged. While the detainment upset some, many were just as furious to see Chicago police officers also on the scene that day.
"We want to walk through the events of that day," said Ald. Jessie Fuentes (26th).
Fuentes is one of several City Council members requesting more transparency from the department about what brought officers out. On that day, the commander of the Central (1st) Chicago Police District told the crowd a law enforcement call was made.
"We don't know what the situation is," Cmdr. David Harris said at the time. "We got a call that law enforcement needed an assist."
"When CPD shows up and understands that that is not the case, and then fully understands that this is an event in which ICE is detaining individuals that are going through a legal immigration process, why weren't they completely scaled back immediately?" said Fuentes.
Some community activists said Chicago police officers acted as security guards for ICE agents
"As soon as a masked ICE officer arrived, they would place themselves to protect his pathway," said Xanat Sobreville, an organizer for Organized Communities Against Deportations. "It was clear to any Chicago resident there that [police] were not there to protect us. They were not there to ensure peace. Their presence made their loyalties clear. Their presence only raised a feeling of escalation and danger."
Chicago police have said officers were there only to assist with crowd control. Police at the time said it was done in the interest of public safety, and CPD officers did not assist ICE:
"The Chicago Police Department responded to the 2200 block of S. Michigan for two calls of assist the police officer, which initiated the emergency response.
"Officers arrived without knowledge of immigration enforcement occurring at the location. CPD spoke with individuals inside a building at the location, as well as the large crowd gathered outside. CPD was on-site to ensure the safety of all involved, including those exercising their First Amendment rights.
"At no point did CPD assist in immigration enforcement. All actions taken by CPD during this incident were in accordance with CPD policy and the City of Chicago Municipal Code, including the Welcoming City Ordinance. No arrests were made by CPD and the crowd dispersed without incident."
Alderpeople are also demanding to see police body camera video from the incident, and hear conversations made between the agencies, though the committee does not have subpoena power for these requests.
"Because that will allow us to fully understand," Fuentes said. "Are we, in fact, holding true to the Welcoming City Ordinance?"
