BREAKING: House Democrats have convened an urgent “shadow hearing” in Chicago, focusing on the controversial impact of Operation Midway Blitz on local communities. Nearly 20 lawmakers gathered on Friday, October 20, 2023, to spotlight what they describe as abuses of power by the Trump administration, despite the ongoing federal government shutdown.
The hearing, hosted in the County Building, is significant as it marks the first of its kind held outside Washington, D.C. since President Trump took office. Lawmakers heard powerful testimonies from immigrant and refugee rights advocates, including a poignant account from Genesis, a 19-year-old whose mother, a food vendor, remains in federal custody after being detained in Chicago. “Now that she has been taken from us, I am left to run everything she left behind by myself,” Genesis shared, highlighting the personal toll of federal immigration enforcement.
Among the speakers was Pastor David Black of First Presbyterian Church, who recently sued the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after being injured by a pepper ball outside an ICE processing center. Following a judge’s ruling, a Temporary Restraining Order was issued, limiting federal agents’ use of chemical agents. However, Pastor Black expressed skepticism about compliance, stating, “We’ve seen that the federal administration has not been deterred at all from the use of chemical agents in our city streets.”
Attendees included Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, both of whom condemned the tactics of federal agents. “This isn’t protection, this is intimidation,” Preckwinkle declared, referencing an executive order that prohibits federal agents from using the County Building for immigration enforcement. Mayor Johnson echoed these sentiments with a similar measure in place for the city.
As the hearing concluded, the lawmakers emphasized the need for accountability and reform in immigration practices. The urgency of this issue resonates deeply within the community, as families face the harsh realities of detention and deportation.
WHAT’S NEXT: Following this hearing, lawmakers are expected to push for increased federal oversight and potential legislative changes regarding immigration enforcement in Chicago. The implications of this shadow hearing could lead to significant shifts in policy and community relations, making it a critical situation to monitor in the coming days.
Stay tuned for more updates as this developing story unfolds.
