Ramirez Statement on Unconstitutional, Politically Motivated Deployment of the National Guard

Chicago, IL -Today, Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03) released the following statement:

"As part of the authoritarian playbook the Trump Administration has been running, they are moving full steam ahead with the unconstitutional invasion and military control of our cities. First, they send ICE in and let them trample our rights, terrorize our communities, and violently abuse our residents. Then, when ICE has escalated and disturbed the peace by stealing naked children away in the night, shooting drivers on the street, and releasing chemical agents on crowded commercial corridors, they use their chaos to justify the deployment of the National Guard. It is the strategy of despots and wanna be dictators.

There is no greater threat to public safety in Chicago than ICE. Deployment of the National Guard, against our state's will and in violation of the Constitution, will not lead to safety and security for our residents or for our neighbors who serve. Only the withdrawal of all federal agents from our city will end the occupation and release us from Trump's abuse of military power to punish and persecute those who resist his fascist, authoritarian agenda.

The consequences of deploying the National Guard against American cities extend beyond politics. Trump continues to normalize the military on our streets to enable his coup. Standing opposed to the use of the military against the American people defends the Constitution and affirms who we say we are as a nation. It is up to all of us to be courageous and stand up to Trump's unlawful overreach and consolidation of power.

ICE out of Illinois. ICE out of Chicago. Keep our communities safe. Defund ICE."