In a post on the social media platform X, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said the operation would target immigrants without legal status who have sought refuge in Illinois and Chicago.

A man selling flowers near Curie Metropolitan High School was among those arrested Sunday, according to Any Huamani, an organizer with Brighton Park Neighborhood Council who helps monitor ICE activity and supports undocumented immigrants.

“It’s obvious that operations have begun in Chicago,” Huamani said at a news conference Monday. “And it’s even more obvious that they are going to be targeting our communities here in the Southwest Side.

“We’re afraid. Our neighbors are afraid.”

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