CHICAGO (WLS) — The countdown is on to a surge in immigration enforcement in the Chicago area.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said he was told ICE operations will ramp up Saturday, but it may be possible they could begin as early as Friday.

Meanwhile, a Mexican Independence Day celebration scheduled in Chicago has now been postponed.

As anticipation continues for federal intervention in Chicago, there is also mixed reaction about a possible National Guard deployment.

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Temporary fencing will be installed near the Everett McKinley Dirksen Courthouse to help those who need to access the courthouse to do so safely, the ABC7 Chicago I-Team learned Thursday.

Those subject to deportation proceedings will not be brought before a judge in the Northern District of Illinois because those proceedings are administrative proceedings and not judicial proceedings.

“Providing access to justice is at the heart of the Court’s mission and critical for our democracy. The United States Marshals Service is responsible for safety at the Dirksen Courthouse and will work to ensure the safety and security of those who seek assistance from the Court. Maintaining access to the courthouse for anyone who seeks redress remains a top priority of the court. It is a core principle to promote our rule of law,” Chief Judge Virginia Kendall said.

El Grito Chicago organizers announced Thursday that the planned second annual two-day festival Grant Park September 13 and 14 has been postponed indefinitely.

“After careful consideration and at the recommendation of State of Illinois and City of Chicago officials, organizers have decided to postpone El Grito Chicago due to possible U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity and a potential National Guard deployment,” organizers said in a statement. “Given the festival’s location in downtown Chicago, organizers recognize that the festival is a more visible target and have determined that keeping the community safe must be the top priority.”

Chicago police said “regular days off will be cancelled and tour of duty extensions will be implemented for sworn members” from Sept. 12 through Sept. 16.

“These day off cancellations were also implemented in 2023 and 2024 during Mexican Independence Day celebrations and are not related to any federal deployments,” a CPD spokesperson said.

Despite the postponement of El Grito, organizers for the 54th Annual Mexican Independence Day Parade on 26th Street said the event is still going to happen Sunday, September 14.

“With information currently in flux, we are actively working with our elected officials and community partners to determine the best next steps that will ensure our community’s safety while honoring our cherished traditions,” Jennifer Aguilar, Executive Director of LVCC, said in a statement. “The Little Village Chamber of Commerce is fully committed to upholding our 54-year tradition of celebrating Mexican Independence Day and supporting our local business community. We will provide further updates as we work through these considerations with all of the stakeholders involved.”

READ ALSO | Pilsen Mexican Independence Day parade announced despite immigration crackdown

The impact of hundreds of federal immigration agents arriving in Chicago is reaching far beyond the city.

“When there is a high level of ICE activity, people stop going to work,” Mano A Mano executive director Dulce Ortiz said. “People stop sending their children to school. We don’t want that to happen. At the same time, we understand there is fear.”

Ortiz the executive director of Mano A Mano and Board President of Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights laying out how many in Lake County are feeling right now just days before reported immigrant enforcement operations are set to begin.

“Yes, there may be hundreds of agents deployed in our area, but there are thousands of people working to make sure our community members our protected,” Ortiz said.

Gov. Pritzker says expanded ICE operations will start on Saturday, just as Mexican Independence Day celebrations begin. He also suggested the operation could begin as early as Friday.

“We believe they are going to be fully assembled by tomorrow and can begin operations after that. We’ve heard that could begin Saturday morning, but it’s possible I suppose they could begin tomorrow,” Pritzker said.

Both Waukegan and North Chicago have canceled festivities in light of the recent federal activity.

North Chicago Mayor Leon Rockingham Jr. said offices are set up at Naval Station Great Lakes for the some 300 immigration agents who are supposed to deploy to Chicago each day.

“That doesn’t make Lake County feel safe knowing that they are here,” Mayor Rockingham said. “Why wouldn’t they at some point be deployed to Lake County? We have Round Lake, have Mundelein, we have other areas that have heavy Latino populations; so, I think all of Lake County should be concerned.”

West suburban Broadview is boarding up a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center there that the mayor says will be used as the primary processing center for at least the next 45 days.

In a statement to community members, Broadview’s Mayor Katrina Thompson writes, “As your Mayor, I want to assure you that the Village is actively monitoring the situation and responding with urgency. We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available. Our priority is to maintain transparency, protect the interests of our residents, and ensure the vitality of our business community.”

Broadview Village Administrator LeTisa L. Jones said in a statement, “The Village of Broadview is coordinating with our neighboring law enforcement partners, the Illinois State Police, and the Cook County Sheriff’s Police to ensure safety and order are maintained in our community as ICE’s operations unfold. Additionally, because Broadview respects the rule of law, we will defend the constitutionally protected right to peaceful protest and will accept no interference with that right. Simultaneously, we will reject any illegal behavior that puts Broadview police officers’ safety or the safety of local businesses and residents at risk.”

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Trump Administration Border Czar Tom Homan says the imminent immigration mission in Chicago should come as no surprise.

“We are going to flood the zone,” Homan said. “We’ve got 10,000 more agents coming on. We’re going to flood the zone. We don’t have a problem in Florida or Texas. So, where are we going to send our additional resources? To sanctuary cities. Why? Because we know there is a problem there.”
Pritzker made it clear there is nothing the state can do as these operations get underway in just a few days.

“We cannot stand in the way,” Pritzker said. “It’s not like we’re going to have armed men standing in between. That’s not something that’s legal. That’s not something that the state of Illinois can engage in, or the city of Chicago can engage in.”

It’s still unclear if the National Guard will be deployed to Chicago, but if they are, officials say they would protect federal property like Naval Station Great Lakes.

In preparation for increased federal immigration enforcement, the city of Chicago has an updated website and information hub led by the Office of Immigrant, Migrant, and Refugee Rights (IMRR). It will highlight services and protections for the city’s immigrant and refugee communities.

Chicago area Latino leaders respond to expected ICE surge

While some Latino leaders are encouraging peaceful protest in response to the expanded immigration enforcement, some organizers of Mexican Independence Day celebrations are taking precautions or postponing their events all together.

So far, the Mexican Independence Day celebrations scheduled for this weekend in Chicago will happen, but with precautions.

The looming ICE operations have sparked fear.

Organizers of other events are erring on the side of caution and delaying their gatherings. That’s the reason why the organizers of the Fiestas Patrias Parade and Festival in north suburban Waukegan is being postponed.

The nearly 30-year old event, which is the largest of its kind in the state, was set for Sept. 14, but has now been rescheduled for November.

Meanwhile, community violence intervention volunteers are helping to train neighborhood residents and others who plan on pushing back against the trump administration by peacefully protesting.

“Our objective is not to frighten the community, but to let them know what’s the real deal, what’s the reality. They are here,” said Margaret Carrasco, Fiestas Patrias Parade and Festival organizer. “We do have 50,000 people that come out to our parades, and our number one priority is the safety of our residents, and we just had to make that call.”

Meanwhile, community violence intervention volunteers are helping to train people who plan on pushing back against the Trump administration by peacefully protesting.

Later Thursday, the Latino Leadership Council, along with others, are holding a new conference to talk about how they plan to empower and protect the community in light of more ICE raids.

CTU says Chicago Public Schools should offer remote learning

Chicago Teachers Union says Chicago Public Schools should consider offering remote learning for concerned families.

CTU President Stacey Davis Gates joined teachers and parents to outline a plan to protect the school community.

On Friday, CTU will host a “Sidewalk Solidarity Walk-ins” at schools across the city.

Members plan to distribute “Defend Your Rights” flyers to community members, particularly in Black and immigrant communities.

CPS has not responded to our request for a comment.