Statement of CVI Community Regarding ICE, CBP, and Troops

As individuals and organizations committed to reducing gun violence and enhancing public safety in Chicago, we strongly object to the immoral, illegal, and unjustified actions of federal law enforcement, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents in our city. We are equally opposed to the federalization and deployment of the National Guard in Chicago. 

Thanks in part to our efforts of the Community Violence Intervention (CVI) community, along with police and other social service providers, gun violence has radically declined in Chicago. We just experienced the safest summer in 60 years. 

In collaboration with philanthropy, business, and government, CVI advocates have worked diligently over the past decade to build a very successful network of CVI organizations that are now serving nearly half of Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. We believe our demonstrated track record deserves support from every sector. 

The people we serve are at extreme risk of shooting or being shot. Many are still healing from violence-induced trauma. Many others are not yet being served. The extreme escalation tactics we have seen from ICE and CBP, including midnight raids, zip-tied children, and warrantless arrests and detentions, could result in more violence and trauma. 

We welcome a federal partner to help reduce the flow of illegal guns and drugs in our cities. We welcome restoration of the Department of Justice’s CVI and Prevention Initiative grants that were recently cancelled by the current administration. But we do not want or need ICE nor CBP agents or National Guard troops destabilizing our communities and potentially setting back our ongoing efforts to prevent violence in Chicago.

For Further Information:

• Peter Cunningham (Chicago CRED) 312-636-8619, PeterCunningham57@gmail.com

• Julia Dake (Metropolitan Peace Initiatives) 630-254-8315, DakeJ@metrofamily.org