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
Illinois quick hits: Arlington Heights trustees pass grocery tax
Plan launched to place redistricting amendment before voters in 2026
Committee of the Whole Eyes School Closures and New Construction Amid Budget Crisis
Acting, Consulting Superintendents to Lead Peotone Schools During Owens’ Absence
Peotone School Board Rejects Mandating Live-Streaming in 4-3 Vote
Illinois GOP U.S. Senate candidates point to economy, Trump gains
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Peotone Board of Education for August 18, 2025
Lawmaker criticizes $500 student board scholarships amid lowered K‑12 standards
Illinois news in brief: Work begins on $1.5 billion O’Hare expansion; Police catch man accused of road rage, shooting
Executive Committee Details Spending of $134 Million in Pandemic Relief Funds
Facing Budget Crisis, Peotone Committee Questions Athletic Field Project
Committee Summary and Briefs: Peotone Board of Education Committee of the Whole
