Congressman Krishnamoorthi Blocked from Conducting Oversight Visit at ICE Facility in Chicago's South Loop Following Recent Raids, Trump's Targeting of Chicago

CHICAGO – Today, Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) and Jonathan Jackson (D-IL) were denied entry into an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) center in the South Loop neighborhood of Chicago. Congressman Krishnamoorthi’s attempted visit to the center comes just two days after hundreds of people were sent emails and texts stating they were required to report to this location and others or risk receiving violations. On June 4th, ICE conducted a surprise round-up at the South Loop facility, where at least 10 people were detained. The congressmen’s visit comes after President Donald Trump ramped up his calls to increase ICE raids and crackdowns, calling on the agency to specifically target Chicago and other Democratic-run cities to achieve “the single largest mass deportation program in history.”

“People in Illinois are confused, scared, and deserve answers,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “It is my responsibility as an elected member of the United States Congress to conduct oversight of this center and get answers for our neighbors and constituents. These raids are not isolated incidents. The facility leadership’s decision to deny me entry into the center is disappointing and outrageous, and I will continue to demand information from ICE personnel to ensure everyone’s rights to due process are being upheld – as is the law.”

On Monday, a man was arrested and detained by ICE agents in Elgin, located in Congressman Krishnamoorthi’s congressional district, despite having no previous criminal record and having lived and worked in Elgin for 12 years. 

A video of the congressman’s interaction at the ICE facility is available here.