CHICAGO — City Clerk Anna M. Valencia is drawing national attention after issuing a strong statement condemning the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement tactics and supporting thousands of Chicagoans who joined in mass protests across the city this week.
Valencia’s remarks, shared through her official statement and office social media, defended the right of residents to demonstrate and pushed back against federal actions she described as undermining due process and instilling fear in immigrant communities.
“The Trump administration can maintain peace by backing off from terrorizing our communities,” Valencia wrote.
Statement Backed by Large Turnout at Pro-Immigrant Rallies
According to the statement, Valencia thanked “thousands of Chicagoans” who gathered to support immigrant neighbors and those “living in fear of their own federal government.” She framed the rallies as a First Amendment response to what she called unjust federal practices, such as detentions without cause or due process.
“Chicago will continue to show up and speak up for everyone who calls our great city home,” she added.
The protests aligned with similar events in Los Angeles, where local officials also voiced concerns over the deployment of ICE and federal agents in predominantly immigrant neighborhoods.
Critics Call Out Clerk’s Political Messaging
Conservative critics quickly seized on Valencia’s statement, questioning her past actions as City Clerk. A viral response pointed to the office’s CityKey ID card initiative, which has been used by undocumented immigrants and others lacking traditional government IDs.
One post from Chicago Contrarian read:
“Weren’t you the one who turned your Clerk Office into a drive-thru migrant processing center? Now you’re engaging in Trump bashing to boost your standing in Chicago?”
Valencia has previously defended the CityKey program as a tool to help marginalized communities access city services and live safely within Chicago, regardless of immigration status.
Federal Crackdown and Political Fallout Continue
The backdrop of Valencia’s statement is a broader surge in federal immigration enforcement under Trump, including the deployment of Marines and National Guard troops in cities like Los Angeles to shield ICE agents during operations.
Civil rights groups and Democratic officials across the country have spoken out, claiming the moves violate constitutional protections and erode public trust in government institutions.
No direct ICE operations were confirmed in Chicago at the time of Valencia’s statement, but concerns remain high as Illinois is reportedly on a shortlist of targeted states for expanded federal action.
Do you agree with Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia’s stance against federal immigration enforcement? Should city officials speak out more forcefully in defense of local communities?
We want to hear your thoughts on how leadership at the city level can support or protect residents in times of national tension.
Stay tuned to ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com for continued coverage on civil rights, public policy, and community responses to federal crackdowns.
