Muslim Civic Coalition Testifies at People’s Hearing on Immigration Enforcement in Chicago
May 21, 2026, Chicago, IL - The Muslim Civic Coalition testified yesterday at the People’s Hearing on Immigration Enforcement: Chicago, a public forum documenting the devastating civil rights impacts of aggressive federal immigration enforcement on communities across the city and state.
Convened by the Hispanic Federation, Latino Victory Foundation, Latinos Progresando, Latino Policy Forum, Miranda Family (Miranda Family Fund), Texas Civil Rights Project, and other partners, the hearing builds on the recent Minnesota People’s Hearing. It creates an official public record of how Operation Midway Blitz and ongoing ICE operations are disrupting families, faith communities, businesses, and daily life across Chicago and Illinois. Moderated by U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Chair Rochelle Garza and former Chair Marty Castro, the hearing highlights community-wide harm and calls for federal accountability.
As a statewide organization dedicated to advancing racial, economic, and educational equity, the Muslim Civic Coalition joined to lift up the voices of Illinois Muslims, one of the most diverse and directly impacted communities in the state.
“Illinois is home to the largest per capita Muslim population in the nation,” said Amina Barhumi, Executive Director of the Muslim Civic Coalition. “Roughly half of our community are immigrants or come from immigrant families. When immigration enforcement is weaponized, it doesn’t just harm individuals — it creates widespread fear that affects our entire community.”
Unique Muslim Community Perspectives Shared
Amina Barhumi’s testimony highlighted several issues specific to Muslim communities:
Longstanding weaponization of immigration tools: For years, federal agencies have used watchlists, prolonged border delays, coercive informant recruitment, invasive secondary screenings about religious practices and political beliefs, and expanded travel bans to target and intimidate Muslim communities. See CAIR Report “Right To Be Different” and data on the Immigration and Travel Bans, and Enforcement Surges that were meant to be Collective Punishment in Practice (Page 31).
Punishment of dissent and free speech: Immigration enforcement is increasingly used as a tool of political retaliation against those who speak up against the genocide in Gaza, U.S. foreign policy, and complicity in Israeli apartheid and occupation. Testimony spotlighted the case of Salah Sarsour, a longtime Palestinian-American leader, father, grandfather, and President of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, who was surrounded by more than ten ICE agents while driving in late March and detained. Similar targeting has been seen with Mahmoud Khalil and Rümeysa Öztürk.
Barhumi also addressed the contradiction here in Illinois: While condemning federal suppression of speech, the state continues to enforce its anti-BDS law (passed in 2015), which bars public pension funds from divesting from companies tied to the occupation on the books, but in practice codified into law a supremacist ideology around which free speech is important and which is not. This law has already cost Illinois pension systems an estimated $149 million in lost returns. Advocates with the Illinois Human Rights Coalition are actively pressing lawmakers in Springfield to repeal this law and restore true neutrality on free speech and peaceful advocacy in our state.
Connected Struggles, Shared Fight
The testimony made clear: attacks on immigrant communities, suppression of free speech, and policies that punish dissent are deeply interconnected. As Barhumi stated, “An attack on immigrant communities is an attack on all of us who believe in a just, inclusive, and peaceful society.” Protecting immigrants and defending the right to speak out is essential to protecting democracy itself.
Resources & How to Stay Connected
If you encounter ICE or need urgent help:
ICIRR Family Support Network Hotline: 1-855-HELP-MY-FAMILY (1-855-435-7693), Available in multiple languages for emergencies, sightings, family support, and referrals.
Download Know Your Rights materials: icirr.org
Stay Informed & Take Action:
Read the full Illinois Muslims Report: muslimciviccoalition.org/illinois-muslims-report
Watch the Chicago People’s Hearing livestream: hispfed.info/CHIforum
Watch the Minnesota People’s Hearing: hispfed.info/MNforum
The Muslim Civic Coalition will continue to provide the support and advocacy necessary to build a country where everyone has dignity, safety, and justice.