UPDATE: Activist Willian Alberto Giménez González, arrested by ICE at a barber shop in Little Village, Chicago, has filed an urgent petition in federal court to block his deportation. Giménez González was taken into custody on Friday as part of the recently launched Operation Midway Blitz, aimed at cracking down on undocumented immigrants.
The petition, submitted to the U.S. District Court on Sunday, demands that a judge not only prevent his deportation but also release him on bond. Currently, Giménez González is being held at a Department of Homeland Security processing center in Broadview, Illinois. His attorney, Kevin Herrera, indicated that the arrest may be linked to Giménez González’s involvement in a pending lawsuit against Home Depot and the city of Chicago, alleging he was profiled and assaulted while seeking day labor.
Federal authorities assert that Giménez González entered the U.S. illegally and had previously been ordered deported after failing to attend an immigration hearing in April 2024. According to ICE, “There is nothing unjust about enforcing the law and ensuring this illegal alien adheres to the laws of the United States.” However, Giménez González’s petition claims he missed the hearing due to “extraordinary circumstances” and is currently appealing the ruling, with his next hearing scheduled for July 2026.
The urgency of this situation is heightened as federal officials have only three days to respond to the petition. Giménez González’s predicament follows a surge in arrests since the announcement of Operation Midway Blitz, although specific numbers remain unclear. Advocates report an alarming increase in hotline calls, indicating widespread concern within the community.
At a protest held on Saturday outside the Broadview facility, Herrera emphasized the need to protect legal rights, stating, “We will fight for Willian, and we will see to it that he is free to be with us in Chicago.” Prominent political figures, including Democratic U.S. Representatives Delia Ramírez and Jesús “Chuy” García, joined the rally, echoing calls for Giménez González’s release. Ramírez asserted, “Freedom and justice is what we say when we make our commitment to this country. Justice says Willian has to be in the house with Mary, today.”
As the situation develops, the court’s decision will be critical not only for Giménez González but also for the broader implications of immigration enforcement in Chicago. The community remains on high alert, and advocates continue to rally for justice and support for those affected by the recent actions of ICE.
Stay tuned for updates on this urgent matter as it unfolds.
