By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez was among several immigrant advocates briefly handcuffed by federal officials for staging a sit-in at the regional ICE office Monday to protest President Trump’s immigration policies.
The Democrat from Illinois joined other activists at the Chicago office, rallying against increased targeting of undocumented immigrants for deportation, the USA Today reports.
Federal Protection Service officers gave the protesters three warnings before placing them in handcuffs. But agents had a change of heart and allowed the protest to continue.
“They threatened us with arrest. We said ‘We’re ready to go to jail,'” Gutierrez told reporters after ending the protest. “We stood up to the bullies here…Unfortunately, tonight and tomorrow they will continue to prey on very vulnerable, defenseless people in their homes in the darkness of the night.”
Gutierrez said he was concerned after meeting with ICE officials, who gave incomplete answers about whether raids would be carried out in churches, schools and other sensitive places.
