Pastor Corey Brooks, founder of Project H.O.O.D., has publicly criticized Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson for his opposition to President Trump's immigration policies and his perceived lack of support for the city's schools. Mayor Johnson recently reiterated his commitment to upholding the Illinois Trust Act, which limits local law enforcement's cooperation with federal immigration authorities. This reaffirmation followed President Trump's election victory and his stated intention to implement stricter immigration enforcement measures.

In a social media post, Mayor Johnson emphasized Chicago's dedication to protecting all its residents, regardless of immigration status. He also referenced earlier remarks where he accused President Trump of threatening not only undocumented families and new arrivals but also Black families. Furthermore, the mayor criticized what he sees as President Trump's attempts to dismantle public education and restrict opportunities for families descended from slaves.

Mayor Johnson has vowed to defend undocumented individuals, along with Black, brown, and Asian communities, against what he describes as dangerous and unconscionable anti-immigrant sentiment in the current political climate. He has stated that Chicago will remain strong and safe regardless of who occupies the White House.

The mayor also issued guidelines for city employees on how to respond to visits from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials. These guidelines advise employees to contact their legal counsel and supervisors before taking any action, to request copies of warrants, and to document all interactions with ICE. They also instruct employees not to consent to ICE entering private or sensitive areas.

Chicago is currently grappling with the challenges of housing tens of thousands of undocumented immigrants, with over 20,000 arrivals since August 2022. Many residents have expressed concerns about the strain on city resources, particularly given the reported $574.5 million cost of sheltering migrants. A proposed property tax increase to address a $1 billion budget shortfall has further fueled public debate and criticism of the mayor's policies.