Federal immigration agents detained 15 people during enforcement raids in Bloomington-Normal last week, according to the nonprofit Immigration Project.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement [ICE] reportedly captured more than 10,000 people during a five-day enforcement effort nationwide.
Sarah Mellor is the social services director with the Immigration Project, a Normal-based agency that provides legal and other assistance to immigrant families across Central and Southern Illinois.
"Last week was probably the worst week that I've ever experienced in this role," Mellor said in an interview on WGLT’s Sound Ideas.
Mellor said the immigrants detained in Bloomington-Normal from July 1-3 had all entered the United States legally, from various countries, including Venezuela, Mexico, Ecuador and Guatemala.
Mellor said they were captured at various locations throughout the community, most of them at their place of employment. She said they all came from separate families, expect one case involved a pair of brothers.
About half of those detained Mellor described as “long-term residents of the community,” while the rest had recently arrived. She said most had been granted humanitarian parole, a Biden administration program created in 2023 which the Trump administration later revoked. Others had applied for asylum, while a few had pending family petitions.
Mellor said following the legal process made them easier to find.
“This is the low-hanging fruit. These are the people who, [ICE] knows where they are, they know where they work. They are going to be easy to go get,” Mellor said.
Mellor said in one case, the person was unaware they had missed an immigration court date and the judge ordered a deportation in absentia.
Mellor acknowledged the fear of exposure can have a chilling effect on families looking to apply for services or get involved in their community, but she added the Immigration Project still advises families to continue to report their address to immigration services because not reporting could create more legal jeopardy if they are detained.
“Even though it’s dangerous for you at this time, it’s also dangerous not to comply,” she said.
Noting that Illinois has abolished immigration detention, Mellor said detainees are sent to neighboring states or wherever ICE facilities have available beds.
Mellor said those cases could go on for months or even years while they are in custody.
Mellor said some immigrants may decide to self-deport, given the prospect of a long legal process while in detention.
Family supports
The Immigration Project is working to set up a support group for Bloomington-Normal families who have a loved one in ICE custody.
Mellor said these raids break up families, causing long-term emotional and financial hardship.
“Often it’s the breadwinner that’s detained. It’s really devastating for economies and for families,” Mellor said.
Mellor said she hopes more attention to the plights of these families may encourage the larger community to help. For example, she said one of the immigrants in custody needs a breathing machine — and they were denied one in confinement.
