Social media users are venting their rage over a recent ABC7 Chicago broadcast, where the news outlet interviewed locals who were telling illegal migrants how to avoid being captured by federal authorities.
The broadcast detailed how Chicagoans are patrolling neighborhoods, informing the community of recent mass deportation raids, and telling illegal aliens what to do if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers end up on their doorstep.
News anchor Cheryl Burton spoke from the studio on Wednesday, before cutting to reporter Michelle Gallardo in the field.
Burton said: 'Chicago's immigrant community is on edge tonight as Michelle Gallardo reports, activists and elected officials are canvassing neighborhoods, letting people know their rights should ICE come knocking - don't open for ICE.'
Gallardo spoke to local business owners, who have been plastering 'don't open for ICE' posters on their windows and giving local illegal immigrants tips on how to survive during the new Trump administration.
Viewers were quick to express their outrage over the station's decision to broadcast the anti-ICE advisory.
'Imagine if Chicago had an unbiased media that served the interests of the public not the interests of the WOKE Democrats who it carries water for,' one user wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
'HOW IS THIS ALLOWED?? They are here ILLEGALLY,' another user wrote.
Presenter Cheryl Burton (pictured) spoke from the studio, before cutting to journalist Michelle Gallardo's on-the-ground report. Burton reiterated what local people on the streets of Chicago are telling illegal aliens: 'Know their rights should ICE come knocking - don't open for ICE'
'Don't Open For ICE' signs can be seen displayed across many businesses in the Little Village community in Chicago, Illinois. The broadcaster was slammed for airing the advisory, given by members of the local community
Another added: 'What rights should illegal aliens have?'
'Doesn't this make her an accessory? Or something of that nature? Send her to jail,' wrote another. 'Things will not get cleaned up until there are consequences for choices media are responsible for where they point their cameras and what comes out of their mouth.'
Other outraged viewers called for ABC7 to have their broadcasting license revoked.
On his first full day in office, President Donald Trump authorized federal immigration authorities to target schools and churches, revoking a policy that barred arrests in 'sensitive' areas, the Department of Homeland Security said.
'Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America's schools and churches to avoid arrest. The Trump Administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense,' a DHS spokesperson told ABC7.
Chicago Public Schools, teachers and religious leaders are 'preparing' to protect students and parishioners as the possibility of immigration agents showing up materializes.
Activists and local elected officials are also continuing to advocate in Chicago neighborhoods, like Pilsen and Little Village, letting people know what their rights are.
Businesses in the Little Village - known to be a center of Mexican culture and community in Chicago - have boldly displayed the same flyer which reads: 'Don't open for ICE.'
ABC7 Chicago aired an interview with local man Jose Luis Vasquez - who has been plastering the anti-ICE posters outside his business
Social media users were furious with the ABC7 broadcast - and called for their license to be revoked
Journalist Michelle Gallardo (pictured) was reporting on-the-ground in Chicago
Little Village business owners told the outlet it is the least they can do to preserve their community.
'People need to stick together, no matter their immigration status,' Little Village business owner Jose Luis Vasquez told ABC7 in Spanish.
A handful of activists also endured the below zero temperatures in an effort to rally against the Trump administration's stated 'mass deportation' plans, ABC7 reported.
'We've been out here since 5 am, educating the community, educating our people that they have rights. You have the right to an attorney. You have a right to a trial,' Baltazar Enriquez, a member of Little Village Community Council, said.
For much of the week, residents of the affected communities have reported 'very little foot traffic' on the usually vibrant streets - citing both the subzero temperatures and the growing fear amongst its residents.
Lawrence Benito, the executive director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, said their hotline has been inundated with calls.
'From January 1st to January 19th, we saw 800 calls. But on January 20th alone, we saw almost 400 calls,' Benito said.
On his first full day in office, President Donald Trump authorized federal immigration authorities to target schools and churches , revoking a policy that barred arrests in 'sensitive' areas, the Department of Homeland Security said. Pictured: Scenes from an ICE raid
Activists and local elected officials are also continuing to advocate in Chicago neighborhoods, like Pilsen and Little Village, letting people know what their rights are
Chicago is a 'sanctuary city' and Illinois laws also prevent authorities from asking a person's immigration status and largely bar police from cooperating with federal agents. There is an exception if ICE agents are looking individuals with federal criminal warrants.
Illinois Governor, JB Pritzker, claimed that ICE has 'not communicated' with his administration, however, he said the number of people targeted - those with criminal records - might be much higher than initially believed.
'They've not communicated with us, so we don't know when exactly those enforcement actions might take place. We have heard that they're targeting as many as 2,000 people initially in the city of Chicago alone,' Pritzker said.
The heavily disputed 'Know Your Rights' campaigns continue to spread throughout Chicago as Pilsen's Perez Elementary school plans to host weekly information sessions every Tuesday starting next week.
'We started attending know your rights training so that we could know how to defend ourselves and our students, if anyone tries to, if ice tries to communicate with us or potentially detain somebody,' Erin, a Chicago Public Schools teacher said.
ABC7 Chicago has been contacted for comment.
