Ramirez, Jayapal, Members of Congress Convene Oversight Forums on Trump’s Lawless Assaults on Chicago

CHICAGO, IL- This week, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03)and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee, along with Chicago-area Representatives Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04), Robin Kelly (IL-02), and Danny K. Davis (IL-07), convened a delegation of 14 Members of Congress to conduct on-the-ground oversight of the Department of Homeland Security unlawful actions in Chicago.

The delegation included the Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33), and the Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13). Illinois Representatives Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Bill Foster (IL-11), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Sean Casten (IL-06), and Jonathan Jackson (IL-01) were also in attendance. Other members of Congress joining were the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Constitution and Limited Government, Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Becca Balint (VT), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37).

"It is important that so many Members of Congress have come to Chicago to understand the on-the-ground realities of Trump's assault on American cities and to stand in solidarity with us," said Congresswoman Ramirez. "As a Chicago resident myself, I know firsthand the terror DHS and ICE seek to instill in us. Our residents have been surveilled, threatened, tear gassed, hit with pepper balls, shot, subjected to warrantless arrest and precision immobilization technique maneuvers, and kidnapped and disappeared. The greatest threat to public safety is ICE."

As part of the activities, the delegation held a shadow hearing at the Cook County Government Building titled Kidnapped and Disappeared: Trump's Assault on Chicago.The shadow hearing was an opportunity for the members to hear from witnesses on personal trauma, constitutional violations, and labor implications of Trump's attacks on Chicago.

The hearing had the testimony of:

• Lawrence Benito, Executive Director, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
• Genesis O,a 19-year-old whose mother, Laura, is currently detained in El Paso as a result of a DHS enforcement in Chicago.
• Pastor David Black, First Presbyterian Church, who was shot while praying at Broadview
• Bob Reiter, President, Chicago Federation of Labor
• Juliet de Jesus Alejandre, Executive Director, Palenque LSNA
• Any Huamani, Immigration Defense Coordinator
• Kevin Fee, Legal Director, ACLU of Illinois

During the two-day delegation, the Members of Congress also participated in a series of roundtables, including Ramirez's convening to discuss the impact of ICE enforcement activity on our students, families, school communities, and neighbors. The roundtables were closed to the press but helped to create a space where Members of Congress could hear directly from impacted communities.

"We could be demoralized. But action is the antidote to despair," added Ramirez."I have never been more proud of my community, my district, my city, and my state. Trump, Noem, Homan, Bovino, and every person in this criminal Administration that has violated our rights and terrorized our communities must be held accountable.

For a recording of the shadow hearing, click here.

For a recording of the press conference, click here.

For photos of the events, click here.