NASW-IL Statement on Recent ICE Actions in Chicago
- NASW-IL Staff
- Oct 20
- 2 min read
The National Association of Social Workers, Illinois Chapter (NASW-IL) condemns the recent escalation of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in the Chicago region, including reports of raids, chemical agents, and aggressive enforcement tactics in Broadview and downtown. These actions have created fear and trauma in our communities and threaten both civil rights and community safety.
Social work is grounded in the values of social justice, service, dignity and worth of the person, and the importance of human relationships as stated in the NASW Code of Ethics. These values require us to speak up when government actions cause harm and undermine the well-being of families and communities. When children live in fear of losing a parent, when families are separated, and when entire neighborhoods experience trauma, social workers have an ethical duty to respond.
Illinois and the nation are already facing a growing mental health crisis. The trauma created by ICE operations deepens that crisis by destabilizing communities, deterring people from seeking care, and increasing anxiety and fear. No one should have to choose between safety and access to essential services.
When these operations end, it will fall to Illinois communities, social workers, and local providers to repair the harm that has been done. Even the perception that state or local agencies were complicit will make that recovery harder and weaken public trust in the institutions meant to protect and serve. The NASW-Illinois Chapter calls on state leaders to take immediate steps to protect immigrant communities and to ensure that Illinois’ resources are never used to facilitate or support federal immigration enforcement activities. State-funded personnel and taxpayer-supported agencies should not be deployed to assist in actions that cause community harm, erode trust, or retraumatize families. Public dollars must be directed toward healing, housing, and mental health services.
Social workers across Illinois stand with our immigrant neighbors. We remain committed to upholding human dignity, advancing social justice, and promoting policies that protect every person from harm.
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world, with over 120,000 members. The NASW-Illinois Chapter is one of the association's largest chapters representing over 20,000 licensed Illinois social workers and school social workers, with over 5,000 active members. NASW strives to advance social work careers, grow social work businesses, and protect the profession.