Gov. JB Pritzker is asking Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and top ICE officials to suspend immigration enforcement operations throughout Chicago for three days so children can safely celebrate Halloween.
The request, obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times, comes four days after ICE agents fired tear gas in the Old Irving Park neighborhood as families and children walked to a Halloween parade. And it came a day after U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis told Border Patrol commander-in-chief Gregory Bovino on the stand that a “sense of safety was shattered” for children who witnessed the deployment.
“Illinois families deserve to spend Halloween weekend without fear,” Pritzker wrote in the letter sent on Wednesday. “No child should be forced to inhale tear gas or other chemical agents while trick or treating in their own neighborhood.”
Pritzker said he is “respectfully requesting” the pause from Friday to Sunday in and around homes, schools, hospitals, parks, houses of worship and other community gatherings where Halloween celebrations are taking place.
“My request is based on a desire to protect communities throughout Chicago and also upon the long-standing guidance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security regarding enforcement actions at sensitive locations, which was unfortunately rescinded under this administration,” the governor wrote. “That guidance should be reinstated to help protect children and others from enforcement action while accessing basic needs like education and healthcare.”
The Democratic governor writes that if the deployment of tear gas on the Northwest Side on Oct. 26 “happened as reported,” without warning, “it would have been in direct violation of statements and directives from your administration.” DHS said in a statement that multiple warnings were issued before the tear gas was released, but a witness told the Sun-Times he heard none.
The letter was sent to Noem, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Todd M. Lyons and U.S Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney S. Scott.
Pritzker asks the three for “cooperation and confirmation that federal agents will stand down from any actions that could endanger or harm perfectly innocent children in our communities during this Halloween weekend.” He added, “Please let children be children for one holiday, free from intimidation and fear.”
Old Irving is the latest Chicago neighborhood where federal agents deployed chemical munitions. Neighborhoods including Lake View, Little Village, East Side, Albany Park, Brighton Park and Logan Square have been the scene of federal activity recently while other neighborhoods have already been targeted as part of “Operation Midway Blitz.”
Ellis on Tuesday detailed the Halloween parade incident as Bovino was on the stand.
“Those kids were tear gassed on their way to celebrate Halloween, in their local school parking lot,” Ellis told Bovino, who offered no reaction.
“And I can only imagine how terrified they were,” Ellis said.