WATCH: Sides lay out positions on immigration reform amid increased enforcement
(The Center Square) – Amidst continued immigration enforcement efforts under the Trump administration in Chicago, the debate about immigration reform continues.
Last month at the Illinois State Fair, Illinois U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Schaumburg, said the legal immigration system needs to be reformed.
“So for undocumented folks, giving them a path to legalization, ultimately citizenship for [Temporary Protected Status] and dreamers doing the same for high skilled talent,” Krishnamoorthi told reporters Aug. 13.
During a State Freedom Caucus Network Summit in Dallas, Texas, last week, Texas U.S. Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Flower Mound, said policy makers actually should be tightening up legal immigration, not making it more lax.
“It does come with reducing legal immigration substantially, and reforming and actually choosing who we think is going to benefit to come into the United States,” Gill said on Sept. 6.
Monday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced Operation Midway Blitz, an enhanced immigration enforcement effort focused on Chicago.
George W. Bush Ambassador to the Holy See Francis Rooney said he hopes the Trump administration listens to Pope Leo, an Illinois native, and other Catholic and religious leaders about immigration.
“I don’t think the American people are going to continue to support what’s happening when they see the impact of higher prices, because the loss of all of our Hispanic workers,” Rooney told The Center Square. “That’s one thing for sure, that they would be wise to listen to Pope Leo.”
At an unrelated event in Bensenville this week, U.S. Marshals Service Director Gadyaces Serralta said their measure of success in Chicago with Operation Midway Blitz is saving lives.
“So, every life saved is a success,” he said. “We’ve been saving a lot of lives here in our surges.”
The Department of Homeland Security announced the operation Monday in honor of Katie Abraham, who was killed last January in a crash involving a noncitizen migrant.
Latest News Stories
DEA targets drug smuggling corridors in work with Mexico
Planned restart of California oil production faces legal challenges
Derailment disrupts train service for Chicago, New York, Washington, Miami
Senate pledges economic support for Russia-Ukraine deal as govt funding talks stall
Democratic candidates focus on national politics in campaign for U.S. Senate
Arizona Chamber praises new interstate natural gas pipeline
Dems oppose Trump’s bid to end mail-in ballots, voting machines
Trump says court’s tariff decision could lead to ‘catastrophic’ collapse
After two weeks fleeing Texas, House Democrats return, quorum reached
Trump: Zelenskyy could end Russia-Ukraine war ‘if he wants to’
$750 million facility to protect Texas cattle, wildlife from screwworm threat
Chicago posts fewest homicides since 2016, arrests rate also declines
Three years later, Inflation Reduction Act blamed for higher Medicare costs