State law specifically prohibits landlords from weaponizing immigration enforcement against their tenants, says Jake Marshall, staff attorney for @beyondlegalaid.bsky.social:
“No matter their immigration status, every tenant in Illinois is entitled to formal, in-court eviction proceedings."

That could set a dangerous precedent, says Jonah Karsh of @mtochicago.bsky.social: “If landlords can just call the feds to get rid of who they want, then that’s a really bleak reality for tenants and their security going forward.”

Meanwhile, dozens of citizens were detained for hours during the raid without explanation.

At least some of the units raided that night were occupied by longtime residents — including senior citizens — who, for one reason or another, had not been paying rent or did not have current leases.

Prior to the raid, the landlord tipped off federal authorities about dozens of Venezuelan migrants living in the building, claiming they had threatened other tenants, according to an unnamed official speaking to the Associated Press.

But just 8 of 37 people arrested had any kind of criminal record.