Chicago federal intervention: Tracking surge in immigration enforcement operations | Updates

The White House "Border Czar" says Chicago should expect a surge of immigration enforcement actions this week, and he says the use of National Guard troops to protect and support those operations is "on the table."

"You can expect action in most sanctuary cities across the country," Tom Homan said. "President Trump has prioritized sanctuary cities because sanctuary cities knowingly release illegal alien public safety threats to the streets every day."

The president was asked this weekend why he is not targeting cities in red states, like Memphis and St. Louis, which have higher murder rates than Chicago.

"Do you know how many people were killed in Chicago last weekend? Eight," Trump said. "Do you think there's worse than that? I don't think so."

And later, the president once again spoke about using National Guard troops in Chicago to fight crime.

"We could solve Chicago very quickly, but we're going to make a decision as to where we go over the next day or two," Trump said.

City and state officials have said they will immediately go to court if National Guard troops are deployed to Chicago.

Video provided to ABC7 Chicago on Sunday showed federal agents, wearing badges that say "ICE," arresting a man near Archer and Pulaski in Archer Heights, who neighbors say is a flower vendor.

A protest against President Donald Trump's immigration raids and enforcement was held Sunday outside the Hampton Inn & Suites in Downers Grove.

Messages left by ABC7 for a DHS spokesperson regarding the arrest were not returned.

Later Sunday evening, Alderwoman Jeylú Gutiérrez released a statement, saying "At least 5 individuals have been confirmed detained" on the Southwest Side.

There is an effort across many communities in Chicago to try and educate people as much as possible on how to deal with potential ICE raids.

The governor and mayor have discussed the importance of people knowing their rights. Sunday night in Hermosa, there was an event predicated around that.

As President Trump's administration plans to ramp up DHS operations locally, many non-profit organizations are trying to find ways to help.

"We have a lot of artists and activists in the community that wanted to do something so for us it's only natural," said Omar Torres-Cortright, executive director of SRBCC. "The community here is concerned and we need more of these gatherings of people coming together."

The volunteer collective of local arts presenters and advocates hosted an event in Hermosa, showcasing native music and dance performances, while drumming up funds for legal expenses from ICE detentions and prosecutions. They've already raised more than $46,000

"We're trying to show the whole breath of what positive people want to do and really support people who are most directly affected right now," Marguerite Horberg said.

The event also offered education for residents on how to handle potential ICE raids as they stress the importance of knowing their rights.

"We are not just putting together a show we have know your rights information we have lawyers in the house that can give information to people," Torres-Cortright. "It's all about having a common goal and doing great work."

A little further north of that event, the Tenants Union FIBC held their own fundraiser with the same goal in mind. They hosted a block party near Broadway Avenue, selling plates of homemade food to raise money for family members recently detained by ICE.

"We know it's a really tough time and we're trying to have something ready in case more of the family members have trouble," Maya Azul said.

So the effort continues locally as many wait to see exactly how DHS operations will unfold in coming days. People across the city have also been handing out flyers to make sure everyone understands what to do if federal agents come to their neighborhood.

It was a day of celebration in Aurora on Sunday, albeit a muted one. Following a six-year hiatus, Aurora's Mexican Independence Day Parade went forward - without the turnout organizers would have liked - in a city where four out of 10 people identify as Hispanic or Latino.

The music, the colors and the vibrancy that makes up Mexican culture was on full display in downtown Aurora. The city welcomed back the traditional Fiestas Patrias celebrations for the first time since before the pandemic.

"I came here when I was eight years old," spectator Gabriela Donatlan-Williams said. "And I'm American and Mexican, but I'm very proud of our Mexico."

And yet for all its folklore, it was a parade which at times appeared to have more people participating in it, than watching it.

"It was disheartening, seeing how many people have just been afraid to show up today," spectator Alexa Pennell said.

Aurora hosted its Mexican Independence Day Parade and Fiestas Patrias celebrations Sunday amid fear over an expected surge in immigration enforcement.

Taking place under the specter of an anticipated large-scale immigration enforcement operation starting this week, organizers admitted people have been staying home, not just Sunday, but during Saturday's festival as well, where the turnout was estimated to be a quarter of what they usually get.

Aurora's new mayor, John Laesch, admitted it's been challenging to straddle the line between encouraging people to celebrate, while also wanting to keep the community safe.

"I think the people that came out and participated had a good time. And that was the main thing," Laesch said. 'Having this event is one way of saying we want people to celebrate and continue to be part of a culture and history that is now a fabric of Aurora. But as far as offering people false hope, false sense of security we're just not going to do that."

For those who did choose to attend, the parade was an affirmation.

"As much as we're Latino, we're American," spectator Jeremiah Pennell said. We belong here and you know, we won't be put in a corner, we won't be made to be afraid."

The question now is, with Chicago's traditionally massive Little Village Celebration coming up in a week, will that same fear translate into reduced crowds?