Amariyah Mallory 
People are being detained and assaulted based on their appearance, homes are being raided without proper paperwork, and despite protests calling for change, residents in Chicago and across the country are struggling to remain safe. These same residents are navigating the new struggles of hardships brought to their city because of the new administration’s hand in immigration policies contrary to the beliefs of the state.
Recently, Chicago has become a battleground. Governor Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson have been working to combat the Trump Administration’s immigration policies. This was not the only offense against Illinois. Back in September Trump denied Chicago Public Schools millions of dollars in federal grant funding as well. The action was taken after the school district refused demands to get rid of its Black Student Success initiative and change its policy on transgender students’ bathroom access.
Even the Chicago Police Department is caught in the crossfire with officers being tear gassed.
The official Homeland Security Government website shared a statement attesting to the motivation behind the surge of U.S. Immigration and Custom (ICE) agents in Chicago. Operation Midway Blitz is said to be in place to avenge the death of Katie Abraham who passed away in a car accident at the hands of an immigrant, according to NPR.
To throw off the social media algorithm, Americans have begun speaking in code, and with coded messages, to inform their fellow citizens of the tragedies happening across the city. TikTok creator @moonwater35 shared a video that went viral on TikTok and other social media platforms encouraging viewers to stay vigilant and be safe.
Mayor Brandon Johnson recently signed a new order that prevents ICE agents presence in the city, calling it an “ICE Free Zone,” but I’m not sure that will be enough to stop them based on their current behavior. It appears the agents take orders from one person, the President.
While we are living in unfortunate times, we have no choice but to push forward. Even the youth are sounding off on how they feel about the current state of Chicago.
“I feel as if the immigrants should be taken home if they are here illegally, but not in such an urgent or disrespectful way. They have been living here for years, building their lives, and I don’t think they deserve to be treated like that. At the same time, I understand that some people worked hard to get their green card or citizenship, so it makes sense that everyone should follow the same process,” said Amia Mallory, a Lindblom High School senior.
Mallory added, “I didn’t even know they were [detaining] Black people too. That’s honestly scary because there are a lot of Black people here, and we have worked hard to be where we are. It feels unfair and kind of shocking to hear that.
“I am still planning to go out and live my life like normal. I do not want to let stuff like that control what I do or make me feel trapped.”
Peighton Williams, another senior from Lindblom, shared her thoughts about ICE. “ICE being in the city has always been unsettling and an underrated issue. Now that they decided to take Black people as well, it just makes me even more concerned because this indicates that they have no sympathy towards anyone, making my life a target as well. While I still plan to live like normal, the possibility of having this encounter does remain in my mind.”
Wayne Horne III, a senior at Whitney M. Young, doesn’t believe that ICE is needed. “The presence of ICE in the city is completely unnecessary, but my feelings haven’t really changed even though my community is now being targeted as well. I’m not necessarily afraid, and I do plan on living like normal.”
Another local teen felt more comfortable sharing how recent events have affected her life off the record. “I think that it’s expected. Most of us knew back in November it was going to end up here. I know now that they’re in my neighborhood. My mom is nervous for me to do things like walk my dog and go on my morning runs, which I’ve been doing for years, so it’s definitely disrupted my life.”
We are all feeling the stress of our current situation. Because no one knows for certain what the future will hold, it’s important that Chicago stay strong. If there was ever a time to unite, it’s now.
By Amariyah Mallory, Senior, Whitney Young
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