Multiple news outlets are reporting that “Border Czar” Tom Homan stated Chicagoans are “very well educated” in defying ICE. This is due in no small part to the “Know Your Rights (KYR)” trainings held across Chicagoland by non-profit and civic organizations.
Key takeaways from the training include:
ICE cannot enter any private areas (including homes) without a signed judicial warrant. An “ICE Warrant,” does not suffice.
Remain silent – a constitutionally guaranteed right – when questioned by ICE.
Do not sign any document which you have not read or do not understand.
A full KYR presentation is available on the City of Evanston website: https://www.cityofevanston.org/home/showdocument?id=98769
Allies have a key role to play in protecting and supporting immigrant communities. Some actions to consider:
Ask your place of employment to create a plan in the event that ICE shows up at your door. Some schools and hospitals already have these plans in place.
Ask organizations in your community to keep “Know Your Rights” printed material on the premise. (The red cards in the picture above are the size of a business card and some nonprofits in Chicago have placed them in their lobbies.)
Continue to advocate for immigrants with your elected officials – especially local officials
Additional ways to help were listed in a recent article on the Block Club Chicago’s website: https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/01/28/chicagos-immigrants-are-being-targeted-by-ice-heres-what-you-can-do-to-help/