Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker reaffirmed his commitment to protecting immigrant residents lacking permanent legal status in response to President Donald Trump's promised crackdown, which was expected to get underway in Chicago.
Pritzker says he supports deporting individuals convicted of violent crimes but not law-abiding workers who are living in the country without permission.
"I want criminals off the streets, and law enforcement officers to do their jobs," the Democratic governor said in an interview with NBC Chicago published Tuesday. "Undocumented people who are law-abiding and holding down jobs shouldn't be arrested just because they're undocumented."
Pritzker's remarks counter plans by Tom Homan, Trump's proposed border czar, who has pledged to dismantle state and local policies limiting federal enforcement. While fears of Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids have intensified, no verified reports of immediate actions had surfaced as of Wednesday, according to WBEZ Chicago.
Trump's deportation policies are expected to disrupt key sectors of Chicago's economy, heavily reliant on immigrant labor. The hospitality and restaurant industry is preparing for potential ICE raids, though fears and misinformation have already reduced business activity and patronage.
Bloomberg reported the second busiest retail corridor in Chicago, normally a bustling area with taco shops and Mexican grocery stores, is like a ghost town.
"It's going to be disastrous," said Jennifer Aguilar, who heads the local chamber of commerce and spoke with a number of the 400 or so businesses in the area. "If raids happen and people are too afraid to go out, it's going to be an impact that's going to last for years."
McDonald's Corporation
Beyond Chicago, Illinois' agricultural and food processing industries could also experience supply chain disruptions.
Companies like Caterpillar Inc.
Private Prisons Continue To Fare Well
Private prison operators like GEO Group
