JB Pritzker TORCHES Trump Over ICE Raids, Daycare Children Caught In Immigration Crackdown

We all know Donald Trump sent militarized agents into our state in the name of going after the worst of the worst. Remember when he said that? The worst of the worst, like going after children in daycare, like going after local business owners, like going after families sleeping peacefully in the middle of the night. The worst of the worst, he said. It ain't right. It was hard to feel anything but pure anger and pure shock during Operation Midway Blitz. Thank you, Lawrence. All right, we need to start it off with when we fight. When we fight, I love it. Good evening. It is great to be with all of you. Thank you for coming tonight and being part of this tremendous celebration. To all the leaders, to the staff, to the volunteers, to the champions in the private sector, who have stood up with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. You are important to this state. I stand here as testament to that fact. I want to say congratulations to ICER and to all of you on your 40th anniversary. What an incredible milestone. Really amazing. In 1986, a group of organizers in Illinois made a promise that no immigrant, no refugee family in this state would ever have to face a hard moment alone. And that was the beginning of ICER, a very simple statement of principle, filling out applications, answering questions, ensuring that no one got left behind. Forty years later, the threats have intensified. Today, it's a president sending masked agents in unmarked cars into neighborhoods, tackling anyone whose color of their skin was black or brown, anyone with an accent, anyone who spoke a foreign language, taking them down. Those terrible, the ICE and CBP, they are still here. But you know who else is still here? ICER. ICER is still here. And you are still keeping your promise. And no one has done more to keep the promise than ICER's phenomenal executive director, Lawrence Benito. Lawrence, it's really a joy to see the profound difference that you and ICER have made and are making today across the state of Illinois. let's give you and all of your staff one big round of applause everyone look as governor i get to work with some truly incredible advocates across the state but working with ICER has always felt like it has a special meaning that's because this organization fights for the same values that first inspired me to run for public office the belief that america should be a place where everyone can thrive not just the most powerful and the unshakable conviction that our diversity is something to embrace not stifle or destroy my family escaped from the Ukraine during the pogroms many years ago and if they had not been allowed into the United States they would have been killed by the the Russian Empire. They were lucky enough to come here and to be sponsored by an immigrant rights organization called HIAS that is still in existence today. My family arrived here with absolutely nothing except the willingness to work hard and a desire to be free. Now, I wouldn't be here without the people who supported them, the people who believe that immigrants are welcome here and that our American values are about standing up for the immigrants who arrive in this country and need our support. As governor, what's been especially inspiring is working with ICER and witnessing your dedication to that mission of standing up for our immigrant populations throughout the most difficult and most painful moments. Together, we recently marked the one-year anniversary of Operation Midway Blitz. We all know Donald Trump sent militarized agents into our state in the name of going after the worst of the worst. Remember when he said that? The worst of the worst, like going after children in daycare, like going after local business owners, like going after families sleeping peacefully in the middle of the night. The worst of the worst, he said. It ain't right. It was hard to feel anything but pure anger and pure shock during Operation Midway Blitz. And I still feel that. But now I also feel enormous pride. And it's pride in the way that Illinoisans responded, that Chicagoans stood up for each other, especially the staff and volunteers of ICER. You rejected fear and you chose to stand up and fight. You gathered your courage and you dedicated yourselves to community. You made sure that kids got to school safely. You helped people understand their rights and built a rapid response network that people across the entire state of Illinois depended upon. Thank you. Thank you. And you know what? Your courage has been contagious. these last 40 years, your impact has been felt in every corner of Illinois. You've connected people to crucial safety net services. You helped more than 100,000 people apply for citizenship in this country. You helped more than 500,000 people gain citizenship in this country. You helped more than 250,000 people registered to vote, and your work continues to be vital, and nothing short of remarkable, and I really mean it. On behalf of the grateful people of Illinois, thank you. Thank you for fulfilling on the essential promise that you made 40 years ago. And ladies and gentlemen, I want to present to ICER a proclamation on behalf of the great state of Illinois and our people. I just want you to know how proud I am. I really am proud to be here with ICER, with Lawrence, with all of you, because the work that you've done has saved lives. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Subscribe to One India and never miss an update. Download the One India app now.