CHICAGO (WGN) — Chicago city leaders gathered in Pilsen on Saturday to distribute “ICE-free zone” signs to local businesses that want to signal support for immigrant communities and push back against federal enforcement efforts.
The initiative follows an executive order signed earlier this week by Mayor Brandon Johnson in response to President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, known as Operation Midway Blitz.
“This is an intentional attack by this president to divide and separate our communities. But he has finally met his match in the greatest city in the world, the city of Chicago,” Johnson said.
Johnson described the signs as both symbolic and strategic.
“These will be signs of refuge. These will be signs of comfort and safety. These will be signs of resistance, and these will be signs for the rest of the world to see that this is how you fight tyranny,” he said.
Ald. Byron Sigcho Lopez joined Johnson at his ward office, where the two helped hand out the signs to dozens of residents and business owners.
The signs are intended to deter ICE agents from using city or private property for their operations. While the signs do not actually prevent agents from entering, officials say they lay the groundwork for potential legal action.
“What the mayor has said, and we said it here, if Congress and the Senate do not hold Trump accountable, we will, and we have
The Trump administration condemned the executive order, calling it a “disgusting betrayal of every law-abiding citizen” and claiming it would shield “the most depraved, violent criminal illegal aliens from justice.” Federal officials also released examples of undocumented individuals previously detained with criminal convictions.
Despite the criticism, many residents waiting in line for signs said they are against the tactics being used by ICE agents.
“I think we all need to take a stand and show solidarity with our neighbors,” one person said.
Another woman, speaking in Spanish, said people in her neighborhood are living in fear and that she is doing everything she can to fight for her community.
Representatives from local groups, including the Little Village Chamber of Commerce, said ICE raids have significantly reduced foot traffic to small businesses. They encouraged people from across the city to support neighborhood shops, noting that restaurants in particular have been sustained through catering orders.
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