In Frigid Chicago, Businesses Struggle to Open Amid Fears of ICE Raids [Video]

Chicago sat frozen in more ways than one on Tuesday, as its migrant community huddled in fear waiting for immigration raids that had yet to materialize by lunchtime, when temperatures in the Windy City dipped below zero.

Groups working with Illinois’ approximately two million immigrants, both legal and illegal, told Newsweek that despite warnings of imminent, large-scale ICE enforcements, the cold weather and the reporting of the raids in the media had, so far at least, resulted in no action.

Newsweek reached out to ICE and Chicago City Hall for comment via email Tuesday morning.

Why It Matters

Before President Donald Trump returned to the White House, reports circulated Friday night that the city would be one of the first targets for his promised mass deportations. As a self-proclaimed sanctuary city and famously liberal metropolis, Chicago welcomed thousands of immigrants who had crossed the southwest border from spring 2022 through early 2024.