Andrade Responds to Rayito de Sol Immigration Raid

CHICAGO – State Rep. Jaime Andrade, D-Chicago, responds to the raid and detainment of a daycare employee by federal immigration officials at the Rayito de Sol Immersion Early Learning Center Wednesday morning, releasing the following statement:

“Earlier today, a daycare employee was followed by federal immigration agents from her home and dragged from her workplace by the agents in front of her coworkers and young children: this is all too common in Trump’s America, but it is horrifying and deserving of our universal condemnation.

“Even as she yelled to the agents that she had papers, the due process she was owed was ignored. This was a horrendous act of prejudice, violence and disregard for her dignity. Even more so, children were traumatized from seeing today’s events occur.

“We cannot continue to tolerate federal immigration officials detaining people without due process and disregarding every Illinoisan's basic respect. Just last week, I helped pass legislation to establish safe spaces specifically for daycares and schools. It is clear that more work is needed to address ICE’s invasion of our communities.

“As a father, I can’t imagine the fear parents may be feeling everyday when dropping their children off at school, or the fear those pre-k students felt as they watched their teacher being ripped away by masked agents. While I work in Springfield to keep reining in the abuse of power by the federal government, people in the community must continue to record and share these incidents. We must hold them accountable.”

There will be an “ICE Out of Our Schools” event tonight, November 5, at 6:30 p.m. at Northcenter Town Square (4100 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL). Join us to protect schools and communities from ICE attacks. Our educators and children deserve to be safe!