Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness (CCH) condemns the killing of Silverio Villegas González at the hands of federal agents. Over the last month, officials at the federal level have issued threats to cities across the country, including Chicago and the surrounding areas. This has included threats to send ICE and the National Guard into our cities to target immigrants, Black and Brown communities, and people experiencing homelessness. Our state and city officials, along with community members and organizations, have stepped up with hopes of keeping our neighbors safe. On Friday, news broke that Mr. Villegas González was killed by ICE after dropping his children off at childcare during an ICE raid. A person’s immigration status should never be the catalyst to their death.
Our communities are afraid. Everyday tasks like grocery shopping, going to work, attending church, and dropping their children off at school now have families concerned about whether they will make it back home. CCH will continue our work to counter dangerous federal overreach and protect our communities. Villegas Gonzalez’s family and loved ones are in our thoughts.
