October 6, 2025
CONTACT:
Graciela González
Director of Communications
ggonzalez@latinopolicyforum.org
312-728-4291
Latino Policy Forum Condemns Violent Federal Overreach in Illinois
“For months, the Trump administration has resorted to persecuting our communities, violently suppressing free speech, and manufacturing the pretext they need, but that does not exist.”
CHICAGO — Last night, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced that President Trump planned to deploy members of the Texas National Guard to Illinois despite not having the consent of city or state government, community leaders, or residents. Last night’s announcement is the Trump administration’s latest escalation of violence and unlawful federal government overreach in Illinois.
Latino Policy Forum President and CEO, Linda Xóchitl Tortolero, made the following statement:
“Deploying the National Guard to Chicago is an attempt to intimidate and punish us for daring to defend immigrants in our communities and exercising our Constitutional right to protest. For months, the Trump administration has been punishing Illinois for resisting their campaign of mass deportations and has resorted to persecuting our communities, violently suppressing free speech, and manufacturing the pretext they need, but that does not exist.
“Immigrants are our neighbors, our co-workers, and loved ones and they help make Chicago and Illinois safer, more prosperous, and resilient. No one should fear enjoying a public park on a beautiful day because they may be racially profiled, detained, and separated from their family. No one deserves to be awakened in the middle of the night by ICE agents dropping onto the roof of their building, then being zip tied and held for hours as their homes and their belongings are destroyed. And the people bravely advocating for them at the Broadview ICE facility, on the streets, in hospitals, or documenting these injustices, do not deserve to be brutalized with rubber bullets, tear gas, flash bombs, physical force, or any of the extreme ways federal forces have tried to intimidate them. Immigrants should always be welcomed and never be subjected to intimidation or violence from our federal government.”
“To our community members: stay vigilant, document, and most importantly, do not accept your federal government abusing its power and violating your rights.”
If you witness ICE activity or know someone who has been detained, contact the ICIRR Family Support Hotline at 855-435-7693.
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About the Latino Policy Forum
The Latino Policy Forum is the only organization in the Chicago area that facilitates the involvement of Latinos at all levels of public decision-making. The Forum conducts analysis to inform, influence and lead. Its goals are to improve education outcomes, advocate for affordable housing, promote just immigration policies, and engage diverse sectors of the community, with an understanding that advancing Latinos advances a shared future. For more information, visit www.latinopolicyforum.org.