In early October, immigration control measures intensified in the United States, with military deployments in Chicago, court rulings affecting thousands of people with TPS, and new allegations about the treatment of migrant minors. At the same time, catholic leaders are calling for support for immigrant communities in the face of a climate of fear and criminalization.
Recent news
Chicago: Trump deploys 300 National Guard troops
- What we know: National Guard troops, ICE agents, and other federal forces are being deployed in Chicago as part of an immigration operation called Operation Midway Blitz. The Trump administration argues that the troops will support the protection of federal facilities and agents, but civil rights organizations have reported that raids in Latino neighborhoods have increased fears of deportation in immigrant communities. Federal Judge April Perry issued an order blocking the deployment of troops in Illinois for at least two weeks, finding no evidence of a justified “danger of insurrection.” The Court of Appeals upheld that order to prevent troops from patrolling Chicago, although it allowed them to remain under federal control without immediate activation. Meanwhile, ICE teams continue to conduct raids in the northern part of the city, despite the suspension of the military deployment.
- Why it matters: The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) reported that recent ICE and CBP operations in Chicago have resorted to “brutal tactics” including shootings, vehicle collisions, arrests without warrants, and racial profiling. These actions are part of a strategy to “justify” the deployment of the National Guard in the city and constitute a violation of human and civil rights that particularly exposes migrant and Latino communities to institutional terror.
- Who it affects: immigrant communities in Chicago, especially in Latino areas, where raids have already been reported. According to CBS Chicago, more than 500 people were detained, including U.S. citizens and workers with no criminal records.
Legal organizations seek to stop the incarceration of immigrant teenagers
- What we know: Several legal groups filed an emergency motion to prevent ICE from locking up migrant teenagers in adult prisons when they turn 18. They claim that this practice exposes vulnerable young people to abuse, isolation, and the risk of immediate deportation. According to the American Immigration Council, detaining these young people in adult facilities, far from their support networks, “does not make communities safer, but rather inflicts further harm on an already vulnerable population.” A recent court ruling blocked this automatic transfer practice, granting legal protection that prevents unaccompanied youth from being held in adult facilities when they reach the age of majority.
- Why it matters: The American Immigration Council warned that keeping youth in adult jails violates legal and international agreements that protect minors and exposes them to physical and psychological harm.
- Who it affects: Unaccompanied immigrant youth who turn 18 while awaiting resolution of their cases.
Supreme Court Strips Protections for Venezuelan Migrants with Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
- What we know: The Supreme Court issued an unsigned brief order allowing the government to immediately remove key protections for Venezuelan migrants with TPS. This temporarily freezes a lower court decision that had kept that status in place. The ruling means the government can proceed to cancel the work permits of people with TPS designations for 2021 and 2023.
- Why it matters: Thousands of Venezuelan families are left without protection from deportation and in a situation of great economic and legal uncertainty.
- Who it affects: Approximately 300,000 Venezuelans with TPS and their families residing in the U.S.
Local and developing news
- Los Angeles: A state of emergency has been declared to help residents financially affected by immigration raids. At this time, it is unclear what steps people must take to access the relief fund.
- California: Governor Newsom signs bill to protect the rights of parents and children. AB 495 prohibits daycare centers and preschools from requesting immigration information and allows families to designate trusted caregivers to keep children safe and together in the event of possible separations.
- Chicago: The federal government is looking to purchase buildings for immigration operations. Authorities announced plans to acquire buildings in Chicago for ICE operations, sparking protests from residents and local organizations. According to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, this expansion seeks to “be in more parts of Chicago.”
- Chicago: Court orders ICE to remedy illegal detentions. A federal judge in Chicago ordered ICE to provide relief to 22 people detained without a warrant and to extend the Castañón Nava decree, which limits arrests without probable cause, until February 2026. The decision, pushed by the NIJC, the ACLU of Illinois, and the ICIRR, requires the agency to reissue its national policy and report new cases monthly.
- Pope calls for support for migrants. In his homily, Pope Leo asked Catholics in the United States to provide direct support to migrant communities in the face of recent deportation operations. He criticized the use of force against migrant families and recalled that “defending human dignity is above any border or law.”
Resources
- Visit the National Domestic Workers Alliance’s “Know Your Rights” platform, which includes immigrant rights, immigration options, a legal aid directory, and more. To access it, visit ndwa.us/immigrant
Note: The National Domestic Workers Alliance is the partner organization of La Alianza - Learn how to recognize fake news about immigration and avoid misinformation with this guide: How to Identify Fake News About Immigration and Avoid Misinformation
Legal Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. It is recommended that you consult with an immigration attorney to assess your specific situation.
