Chicago city leaders hand out ‘ICE-free zone’ signs to local businesses

CHICAGO (WGN) — Chicago city leaders gathered in Pilsen on Saturday to distribute “ICE-free zone” signs to local businesses, signaling support for immigrant communities and opposing federal immigration enforcement efforts.

The effort comes after Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order earlier this week in response to President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, known as Operation Midway Blitz. “This is an intentional attack by this president to divide and separate our communities. But he has finally met his match in the greatest city in the world, the city of Chicago,” Johnson said.

Johnson described the signs as both symbolic and strategic. “These will be signs of refuge. These will be signs of comfort and safety. These will be signs of resistance, and these will be signs for the rest of the world to see that this is how you fight tyranny,” he said.

Ald. Byron Sigcho Lopez joined Johnson at his ward office, helping hand out the signs to dozens of residents and business owners.

The signs are meant to discourage ICE agents from using city or private property for enforcement activities. While they do not legally prevent entry, city officials say the signs may support potential legal challenges in the future.

“What the mayor has said, and we said it here, if Congress and the Senate do not hold Trump accountable, we will, and we have,” officials said.

The Trump administration criticized the executive order, calling it a “disgusting betrayal of every law-abiding citizen” and saying it could shield “the most depraved, violent criminal illegal aliens from justice.” Federal officials also cited cases of undocumented individuals previously detained with criminal convictions.

Despite the criticism, residents waiting for signs expressed support for the initiative. “I think we all need to take a stand and show solidarity with our neighbors,” one person said.

Another woman, speaking in Spanish, said her community lives in fear and that she is doing everything she can to advocate for them.

Local groups, including the Little Village Chamber of Commerce, noted that ICE raids have hurt small businesses by reducing foot traffic. They encouraged city residents to continue supporting neighborhood shops, particularly restaurants sustained through catering orders.