Chicago businesses unite against ICE raids hurting local economy
Chicago's business, civic, and faith leaders have united to demand an end to ICE raids, known as Operation Midway Blitz, citing significant economic impacts on their business. The operation, launched by ICE, is causing concern among downtown businesses and retail corridors in Latino neighborhoods, affecting their business negatively. The ICE enforcement operation has led to a substantial decrease in consumer spending, with some businesses reporting revenue drops of up to 50%. This is due to the removal of immigrant workers, including landscapers, restaurant workers, and day care workers, who contribute $22 billion annually to Chicago's economy through taxes and local spending, benefiting their business. Chicago CRED Founder Arne Duncan believes the raids are intended to 'shock and scare' communities rather than enforce immigration laws, negatively impacting their business. The American Business Immigration Coalition CEO Rebecca Shi has called the operation 'economically reckless' for their business. The United for Chicago group has formed to address these impacts on their business. Business leaders hope to engage in dialogue with Republican business owners who may be concerned about the effects of the Trump administration's policies on their business's bottom line. The business community aims to grow its collective voice by encouraging more local and nationwide business leaders to join their effort to protect their business.
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