Introduction
Francisco Arriaga, the choir director at Chicago’s Catholic Church San Pablo in Pilsen, a neighborhood with a significant Latino population, has seen a drastic decrease in attendance at his weekly dinners due to fears of immigration raids ordered by President Donald Trump.
Impact on Community Activities
- Arriaga normally prepares twice as many tables, but only three people attended the last gathering.
- Pedestrian traffic on Cermak Road, Pilsen’s main artery filled with businesses and restaurants, has dwindled due to raid announcements and Trump’s threat of deploying National Guard troops.
Byron Sigcho-Lopez, a city council member, warns that if people think this will only affect the immigrant community, it will normalize Trump’s actions, potentially targeting anyone next.
“Luna de miel” (Honeymoon Phase)
Although large-scale detentions by ICE in Chicago haven’t occurred yet, concerns remain high. Sigcho-Lopez advises maintaining calm and documenting incidents with phones.
Chicago, home to over 2.7 million residents, includes more than 800,000 self-identified Hispanics or Latinos in the 2020 census. An estimated 150,000 undocumented individuals live in the city, accounting for nearly 8% of households.
Eric and Jessie Ruiz, lifelong Pilsen residents and U.S. citizens, still fear arbitrary arrests despite their citizenship status.
Mike Oboza, a nightclub singer, witnessed an ICE arrest in Pilsen and felt paralyzed by the experience, uncertain about his future as a performer.
Robert Pape, a University of Chicago political science professor studying political violence for decades, warns that Chicago might become a “powder keg” and emphasizes the community’s need to publicly advocate for nonviolence.
Some might welcome military presence initially, but Pape notes that military occupations usually exacerbate social unrest and political violence.
Living in Fear
Despite the challenges, community members strive to maintain their lives and defend their rights. Vanessa Escobar, an 18-year-old student at Roosevelt University, participated in a recent ICE protest in downtown Chicago, expressing the importance of her community being heard and standing up against Trump’s frightening actions.
As many stay home and limit daily outings, Church San Pablo will celebrate Mexican Independence Day next week, postponed due to increased ICE scrutiny.
Arriaga anticipates some Latinos may still avoid attending, but the church might attract a more diverse audience this year as a sign of solidarity.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: Who is Francisco Arriaga? A: He is the choir director at Chicago’s Catholic Church San Pablo in Pilsen.
- Q: Why are people afraid to attend community events? A: Fear of immigration raids ordered by President Donald Trump.
- Q: How has the Latino community been affected in Chicago? A: An estimated 150,000 undocumented individuals live in Chicago, accounting for nearly 8% of households. Many fear arbitrary arrests despite their citizenship status.
- Q: What advice do officials give to the community? A: Maintain calm and document incidents with phones; publicly advocate for nonviolence.
- Q: How do military occupations typically impact communities? A: They usually exacerbate social unrest and political violence.
