Waukegan, IL – Esiah Campos, Lake County Board member for District 16 and the first elected Latino member of the County Board, condemns the recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids that have been launched across the Chicagoland area this past week, following President Trump’s return to the White House. While deportation policies have occurred under previous presidential administrations, President Trump has made it a centerpiece in his current administration. He has stated that Chicago would be “ground-zero” for his deportation policies.
Campos expressed the difference in tone between past presidential administrations, and emotional impact on residents saying, “These raids have instilled fear in countless families and represent a troubling symptom of our lack of meaningful immigration policy. People are making openly racist comments on Facebook. Our children see the memes and videos.”
Campos urged against the current approach stating, “History has shown that blanket strategies affect innocent people, and it’s just a matter of time before these policies change into something darker. This is a slippery slope.”
The recent ICE operations, in Campos’ opinion, have led to widespread apprehensions, raising concerns about the impact on law-abiding undocumented residents who contribute to the fabric of our society.
Campos emphasized the necessity of comprehensive immigration reform, stating, “We must create pathways for non-violent undocumented individuals to achieve citizenship. The current approach tears families apart and also undermines our community’s integrity and diversity. My position doesn’t allow me to make the meaningful reforms we need. This has to come from Congress. If we are truly going to solve this issue, Congress could have passed immigration reform when it was presented under Biden.”
Campos is urging local leaders and citizens to unite in advocating for policies that prioritize compassion and justice over fear and division. “We cannot allow fear-driven policies to dictate how we treat our neighbors. It is time for us to demand a system that recognizes the humanity of all individuals, regardless of their immigration status,” Campos asserted. “I believe that meaningful reform is essential to ensure that all residents feel safe and valued in Lake County. We need our leaders to speak out and step up where they can. I remain committed to helping the organizations that help, instead of harm, our communities.”
Campos is directing allies and community members to join him at the next RESPOND meeting and presentation from Mano a Mano on Wednesday, February 5th at 9am. Attendees will receive practical guidance to share with their constituents and neighbors on how to handle detention or arrest, and assert their protections under anti-discrimination laws, and rights of specific groups, such as asylum seekers and legal residents. The presentation will also cover essential resources, including emergency preparedness tips, scam prevention, abuse reporting, and the support Mano a Mano provides to immigrant communities.
To connect Mano a mano, call 847-201-1521
Mano a Mano Rapid Response (Conozca sus derechos) https://mamfrc.org/rapid-response/
Lake County Commissioner Esiah Campos represents District 16 which includes includes Round Lake Beach, Round Lake Heights and portions of Round Lake and Round Lake Park.
Contact:
Esiah Campos
Lake County Board, District 16
Phone: 847-313-9174
Email: ecampos@lakecountyil.gov