Lino, a regular visitor to Lincoln and the wife of a U.S. citizen with six children, shared that her family will now be attending church services together online. She is said to have a clean record and has been living and working in the U.S. for 25 years, as confirmed by her lawyer speaking to the Tribune.
Lino was previously arrested while crossing the southern border in 1999 and deported back to Mexico. She later re-entered the U.S. in 2001 and settled in Bolingbrook, where she got married the same year.
Due to fears of facing another deportation, Lino has opted to watch church services online with her family. This decision comes as Chicago’s undocumented community and supporters are preparing for changes under the new administration.
Reports suggest that the Trump administration is considering reversing a policy that restricted ICE officials from making arrests at places like schools, places of worship, hospitals, and other sensitive locations.
In response to these developments, the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights is working on a plan to support community members through local rapid-response teams, according to Brandon Lee.
Amid concerns over potential mass deportations in Chicago, Emma Lozano, an activist and pastor at Lincoln United Methodist, has decided to move Spanish services online to protect the undocumented community, while English services will remain in-person.
Chicago has recently cleared out its largest homeless encampment and provided alternative housing options for the residents. The Mexican community in Chicago is expected to be significantly impacted by changes in immigration policies, alongside the Venezuelan community.
Tom Homan, Trump’s pick for border czar, has expressed intentions to enforce strict measures in Chicago and criticized local political leaders. He has challenged the mayor and governor to negotiate with him over a plan, warning of potential consequences for obstructing ICE efforts.
In response to these statements, Governor Pritzker’s office emphasized their focus on leading the state effectively amid potential challenges from the Trump Administration. Mayor Johnson and the governor’s office have not yet commented on the situation. Residents in Chicago have expressed concerns about constitutional rights, tax increases, and transparency in the city’s handling of immigration issues.
Chicago faith leaders are preparing for a potential wave of deportations and have decided to stop holding in-person Spanish services, according to a report.
