NonilexOct 29

#Chicago's #children are getting caught in the chaos of #Trump’s #immigration crackdowns

The 2-year-old boy was so frightened, he stuttered.

“Mommy, mommy, mommy,” he repeated, clinging to her.

His mother, Molly Kucich, had been grocery shopping when her husband called, panicking. She heard “immigration raid.” Then: “tear gas.”

#law #ICE #CBP #Gestapo #TheCrueltyIsThePoint #MilitaryState
https://apnews.com/article/chicago-immigration-trump-crackdown-school-children-c9a19835cac13c0fbbebcc9f4bf4f0a2?utm_source=onesignal&utm_medium=push&utm_campaign=2025-10-28-Immigration+and+kids

Chicago children traumatized by immigration raid, tear gas

In Chicago, children and families have been traumatized by an immigration enforcement action involving tear gas. In early October, a white SUV rolled through Logan Square, a historically Hispanic neighborhood that's been gentrifying for years. Masked federal agents threw tear gas canisters from the window and parents rushed to protect their children. The action was part of the Trump administration immigration crackdown. Residents, including U.S. citizens and people with permission to live or work here, say they are terrified, worried about being targeted. Teachers and community members are struggling to reassure children while dealing with their own fears. The community remains on edge, with many questioning their safety and future.

AP News
Show threadNonilexOct 29

She abandoned her grocery cart & went as fast as she could to her toddler & his 14-month-old brother, who, on that warm October Friday, were among the hundreds of #Chicago #children caught suddenly in the turmoil of the #Trump admin’s #immigration crackdown.

#law #ICE #CBP #Gestapo #TheCrueltyIsThePoint #MilitaryState

Show threadNonilexOct 29

Parents, teachers & caregivers have been grappling ever since with how to explain to children what they’d seen: how much to tell them so they know enough to stay safe, but not too much to rob them of their childhood. A toddler shouldn’t know what a #TearGas canister is, Kucich said.

“I don’t know how to explain this to my kids.”

#law #Chicago #Trump #immigration #ICE #CBP #Gestapo #TheCrueltyIsThePoint #MilitaryState

Show threadNonilexOct 29
#Children were playing on the monkey bars outside Funston Elementary School just before noon on Oct 3 when a white SUV rolled down their street in #LoganSquare, a historically Hispanic neighborhood that’s been steadily gentrifying for years. Cars followed, drivers laying on their horns to alert neighbors these were federal agents. A scooter pulled in front of the SUV, trying to block it in. There were no mass protests; some teachers walking to lunch initially didn’t realize what was happening.
Show threadNonilexOct 29

Suddenly, #TearGas canisters flew from the window of the SUV.

The cloud of gas rose, first white, then green, & the street exploded into pandemonium. Some people ran. Others shouted at agents to leave. Sirens screamed toward them. Parents blew through stop signs & drove on curbs to reach their #children.

#law #Chicago #Trump #immigration #ICE #CBP #Gestapo #TheCrueltyIsThePoint #MilitaryState

Show threadNonilexOct 29

Kucich’s son was a half-block away, having lunch in the window of Luna y Cielo Play Cafe, where #children learn Spanish as they play with pretend food & toy cars. His nanny takes him there most days. He made his best friends at the cafe, & his little brother took his first steps there.

#law #Chicago #Trump #immigration #ICE #CBP #Gestapo #TheCrueltyIsThePoint #MilitaryState

Show threadNonilexOct 29

Owner Vanessa Aguirre-Ávalos ran outside to see what was happening, as the children’s nannies hustled them to a back room. Aguirre-Ávalos is a citizen; the nannies, Hispanic grandmothers, are citizens or are legally allowed to work in the U.S.

Still, they were terrified. One begged Aguirre-Ávalos: If they take me, please make sure the children get home safe.

#law #Chicago #Trump #immigration #ICE #CBP #Gestapo #TheCrueltyIsThePoint #MilitaryState

Show threadNonilexOct 29

The SUV eventually drove away, the cloud of smoke cleared, and parents arrived. “What’s happening?” a girl cried, over and over.

Kucich’s son, who is white, now worries about his nanny, a U.S. citizen from Guatemala. He asks where she is and when she’s coming. He jumps at the sound of sirens. His mother called their pediatrician for a therapist referral.

#law #Chicago #Trump #immigration #ICE #CBP #Gestapo #TheCrueltyIsThePoint #MilitaryState

Show threadNonilexOct 29

Andrea Soria, whose daughter plays at Luna y Cielo, overheard her 6-year-old whisper to her dolls: “We have to be good or ICE will get us,” referring to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“These kids are traumatized,” Aguirre-Ávalos said. “Even if ICE stops doing what they’re doing right now, people are going to be traumatized. The damage is already done.”

#law #Chicago #Trump #immigration #ICE #CBP #Gestapo #TheCrueltyIsThePoint #MilitaryState

Show threadSouprMatt

@Nonilex This is why ICE must be loudly and publicly abolished by the next Congress and President.

So that kids know they never will have to fear ICE again.

Oct 29 at 1:40amWeb
Show threadGeorge DinwiddieOct 30
@Nonilex @mls14 Certainly take the weapons away from them.