Latinos say Trump’s deportations cause fear and excitement

The number of migrants coming through Mexico has dropped – with last month’s crossing the lowest since January 2020.

But the problem is still very much alive on the streets of cities like Chicago, far from the southern border.

It is one of several Democrat-run cities that have enacted so-called “sanctuary city” laws that limit local police cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

In response, since 2022, Republican governors in southern states like Texas and Florida have sent thousands of immigrants north on buses and planes.

Tom Homan, Trump’s pick to lead border policy, told a Republican gathering in Chicago last month that the midwestern city would be “ground zero” for mass deportations.

“January 21st, you’re going to find a lot of ICE agents in your city looking for criminals and gang members,” Homan said. “Count it. It will happen.”

Many local politicians, including Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and the state’s governor, JB Pritzker, continue to support the sanctuary city law, dubbed the “Welcoming City” rule here.

But the policy was not universally loved. In November, Trump made gains in many Latino neighborhoods.

Recently, two Hispanic Democratic lawmakers tried to change the ordinance and allow some cooperation by Chicago police and federal authorities. The measure was blocked Wednesday by Johnson and his progressive allies.