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Resident urges Elmhurst to adopt plan addressing ICE activity, civil-rights protection and outreach
Summary
A resident told the council she witnessed an aggressive ICE operation and urged Elmhurst officials to develop a city plan to protect residents' civil rights, provide legal-rights information, coordinate with community groups and schools, and avoid intimidation that reduces access to services.
At the Oct. 6 Elmhurst City Council meeting, resident Mandy Pachowski told the council she witnessed a large Immigration and Customs Enforcement presence in a nearby apartment building and described fear among immigrant community members that is affecting public-health service access and community trust.
"This is someone who has operated a long standing business in Elmhurst," Pachowski said, describing a local business owner detained by ICE. She recounted seeing "26 armed ICE agents surround an apartment complex" and said agents did not apprehend the person they sought but instead detained an 18-year-old. "That level of force was unnecessary and ... intended to intimidate," Pachowski said.
Pachowski asked the council to "take action to work with community leaders, schools, and local organizations to ensure every resident knows their rights, knows where to turn for help, and can feel safe in their own neighborhood." She connected the activity to declining use of local food pantries and fear among families.
Mayor Levin acknowledged the comment period and closed public comment after confirming no other speakers had signed up. There was no formal council action recorded on the item during the meeting; Pachowski's remarks were part of the public forum and were entered into the public record. The council did not schedule a formal response at that session, though the speaker requested proactive coordination and a public plan to protect civil rights and maintain public trust.
