Recent immigration raids in Illinois have been confined to the Chicago area, while a nonprofit that provides legal services and other supports for immigrants in Central Illinois is bracing for immigration officers to turn their attention downstate.
“We are so busy,” exclaimed Charlotte Alvarez, executive director of the Immigration Project, a nonprofit that provides legal services and other support for immigrants across downstate Illinois.
Alvarez said her office has been fielding dozens of calls for help.
“[They are] requesting consultations about citizenship and naturalizing within the first two weeks of the Trump presidency,” Alvarez said in an interview on WGLT’s Sound Ideas.
Alvarez said she's not aware of any immigration enforcement efforts in Central Illinois, but said her office is building up rapid response efforts just in case.
There have been rumors of immigration raids in Bloomington-Normal, Peoria and elsewhere. She said those reports that have spread on social media don't help, even if well intended.
“The wrong help can hurt sometimes,” Alvarez said. “We have heard people wanting to support their immigrant friends in their lives and asking, ‘Are you afraid you are going to get deported now?’
“That is just escalating."
Alvarez said the Immigration Project does not want to stoke fear at a time when some clients are asking if it's safe to leave their homes.
“I think the answer if different [for each person],” Alvarez said. “There’s definitely initial targets for enforcement operations, especially people who have prior removal orders or any sort of previous interaction with police are at increased risk of enforcement.”
Alvarez said people also need to live their lives.
The Immigration Project has hosted a series of "Know Your Rights" presentations in recent weeks. Alvarez said anyone approached by an immigration agent has a right to an attorney, a right to remain silent and a right against unlawful detention.
“If I’m walking down the street, I don’t need to prove my U.S. citizenship at the drop of a hat. That’s not part of how we operate in the United States,” Alvarez said.
Welcoming ordinance
The Town of Normal passed a welcoming ordinance in 2018. It bans police or any town employee from inquiring about someone's immigration status unless it’s required by law or court order or necessary for a criminal investigation.
“I think it has helped in Normal at least, ease some of the fear from immigrant communities and reassured them that police are still a safe place to report crimes if they are a victim of a crime,” she said.
Bloomington has not passed such an ordinance.
