ROGERS PARK — In light of President Donald Trump's recent executive orders to accelerate the deportation of immigrants and increase the number of federal immigration officers, North Side officials are holding a "Know Your Rights" workshop Sunday for neighborhood residents.
Ald. Joe Moore (49th) will be joined by U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), state Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago), state Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago) and other representatives from local organizations specializing in immigrant and refugee rights at 2 p.m. Sunday inside Sullivan High School, 6631 N. Bosworth Ave.
Officials held the same event last month to a packed house.
The event will be offered in English and Arabic.
Trump's orders also call for all federal funds to be stripped from "sanctuary cities," such as Chicago.
At City Hall Wednesday, Mayor Rahm Emanuel reaffirmed his stance that the city would remain welcoming to immigrants despite Trump's order.
Moore, who governs the immigrant-rich community of Rogers Park, said he was "proud" to stand with Emanuel on Chicago's sanctuary status.
Still, the fear expressed by many Chicago immigrants already is not unwarranted, Moore said.
"Despite our City’s best efforts, immigrants and refugees, regardless of their legal status, and those of us who are native born U.S. citizens, have a right to be concerned," Moore said in an email to constituents. "In light of the current political climate, it is imperative that everyone know their rights if they are confronted by a law enforcement official."
Representatives on hand at the workshop will hail from numerous agencies, including: Iraqi Mutual Aid Society, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Northside Community Resources, National Immigrant Justice Center and the Syrian Community Network.
