Chicago lawmaker hopes for 'justice and mercy' amid ICE raids

Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.) said he hopes President Trump’s “border czar,” Tom Homan, will carry out the immigration enforcement operations with “justice and mercy.”

In an interview on NewsNation's "The Hill," Jackson said he supports arresting immigrants who crossed the border illegally and have committed crimes in the U.S. Still, he expressed concern that law-abiding residents would be swept up in the mass deportation efforts.

“I think this has been a campaign of fear,” Jackson said. “Of course, we all agree that people that are violent should be arrested, people that are here unlawfully that have committed heinous crimes should be removed.

He suggested other Democrats share his view, adding, “To try to say one side is for this, and another side is trying to sow anarchy and disorder, is absolutely false.”

But, Jackson said, people protected by programs like the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or who have Temporary Protective Status (TPS) should still be granted their rights.

“We do believe in the rule of law, but those persons that were innocent, they should have the presumption of innocence. Those persons that are under DACA or temporary protective status should be afforded a right to a presumption of innocence,” he said.

“So I just hope that he goes forward with a degree of justice and mercy,” Jackson continued, referring to Homan. “I don't want to see and hear about families being torn apart, children being separated from parents. We can have an orderly process to deal with immigration reform.”

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and a small handful of other federal agencies have conducted raids over the past few days, which led to the arrest of more than 2,000 people, including almost 1,000 on Sunday alone, ICE said.

The Hill is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns NewsNation.

Topics

Trump immigration crackdown continues with more ICE raids

President Trump's crackdown on undocumented immigrants is continuing with ICE carrying out more raids in major cities across the country. CBS News immigration and politics reporter Camilo ...
CBS News - 17h
Chicago officials react to Trump's mass deportation raids

Federal officials detained more than 100 immigrants with apparent criminal convictions in Chicago, city officials say. CBS News' Ian Lee has more on what's known about the raids.
CBS News - 1d
What we know about ICE raids in Chicago

The Trump administration's immigration crackdown resulted in nearly 1,000 arrests across the U.S. on Sunday, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. CBS News correspondent Ian Lee reports ...
CBS News - 2d
ICE arrests 956 Sunday as nationwide raids continue

ICE and other federal enforcement agencies were on the ground across the United States on Sunday.
The Hill - 2d
Slotkin criticizes Trump’s ICE raids, plans for schools

Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) criticized President Trump’s recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and his acknowledgment that schools could be targeted. Slotkin was asked on ABC's ...
The Hill - 3d
Newark officials demand answers after ICE raid

Officials in Newark, along with immigrant rights activists, are criticizing a warrantless ICE raid targeting a New Jersey seafood business. Several people were detained during the operation.
NBC News - 5d
Homan invites Cuomo to witness ICE migrant raids

Trump border czar Tom Homan invited NewsNation's Chris Cuomo to witness ICE migrant raids firsthand.
The Hill - 5d
Chicago migrant community prepares for possible ICE raids after Trump takes office

Local leaders and immigrant rights groups in Chicago met Saturday morning in the Pilsen neighborhood to make sure the community is prepared.
CBS News - Jan. 18
Trump team now 'reviewing' plans for Chicago ICE raids: Incoming border czar

President-elect Donald Trump's border czar said the incoming administration is now "reviewing" whether to launch removal operations in Chicago.
ABC News - Jan. 18