On the first floor of the Cook County Administration Building in the Loop, a colorful altar with portraits and painted skulls lines the hallway, a Mexican tradition known as the Day of the Dead, commemorating deceased loved ones before Halloween.
Four floors up, community members and congressmen sounded the alarm over the Trump administration’s attack on Chicago’s immigrant community during a “shadow” congressional hearing today.
A series of shadow hearings, which are unofficial public meetings, have been led by U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, and other congressional Democrats, titled “Kidnapped and Disappeared: Trump’s assault on Chicago,” as a platform to voice concern over the Trump administration’s “unlawful and aggressive” immigration enforcement in Chicago.
Nineteen members of Congress, including local U.S. Reps. Jesús “Chuy” García and Mike Quigley gathered to hear community testimony and discuss its implications.
A teenager identified only as Genesis O., whose mother, Laura Murillo, was taken by federal immigration agents while selling tamales, was one of seven witnesses and a focal point of the meeting.
In a teary-eyed statement, Genesis, 19, described how, after her mother was detained, the responsibility of putting food on the table and taking care of her 16-year-old disabled sister is now on her.
“I’m only 19 years old. I’m still a kid who has so much to learn and yet I feel like in the last four weeks, I’ve grown up fast,” she said. The added responsibilities were also affecting her mental and physical health, she said.
Another witness, Any Huamani, a member of a Southwest Side rapid response network, spoke about how the community is helping families living in fear of ICE with resources such as food delivery. Huamani said her network delivered groceries to about 100 families.
Huamani expressed concerns over the government’s lack of accountability and transparency, highlighting Border Patrol boss Gregory Bovino’s use of tear gas and aggressive immigration enforcement tactics.
“The Trump regime is actively used in Chicago as a show for entertainment, while families are being torn apart,” she said.
Community members are helping walk children to school in an environment of fear and distrust amid immigration enforcement operations near schools, some testified.
Juliet De Jesus Alejandre, executive director of the Logan Square Neighborhood Association, another witness at the hearing, said community members were helping pick up and drop off elementary students from about 65 families at one local school.
“The amount of trust you need to have in that moment,” Alejandre said. “I can’t even imagine leaving a 7-year-old to go with somebody that you’re hoping will come back. Thankfully, it’s all been safe.”
Quigley highlighted the plight of children and young adults who are suddenly left without a caregiver. He recounted walking an 8-year-old girl from a shelter to school because she “has to have someone white walk her to school.”