Copyright Chicago Tribune
Kristi Noem, secretary for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, will be in Gary Thursday morning, the department announced in a Wednesday email. According to the email announcement, the Gary news conference will “discuss recent results of Operation Midway Blitz,” the mass deportation mission that also includes Lake County. Noem’s news conference will be held at 11 a.m. and feature Gov. Mike Braun, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyons, ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan and Indiana State Police Secretary Anthony Scott, according to the email announcement. The department’s announcement required media members to RSVP and did not provide an address. Members of the media would be provided the address upon RSVP, according to the email invitation. In a Wednesday afternoon statement, Gary Mayor Eddie Melton said that city leadership was made aware “through external communications, just as the public has as of today.” “Let me be clear: the Office of the Mayor and the City of Gary have not been involved in organizing, planning, or facilitating this event,” Melton’s statement said. “The City of Gary will not be participating in this event.” Melton did not speculate on what Noem, Braun and others might announce. U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Highland, said he was not invited to the news conference and didn’t know the details of what would be said or announced. But Mrvan said he’s not for open borders and that as a nation “we should know who is in our country.” Mrvan said he would like to find a bipartisan solution to address immigration. “People are bad actors and criminals, and if they are not citizens they should be deported. We should be able to have a pathway to citizenship that is humane, and we should be able to make sure that we have protected borders,” Mrvan said. As videos circulate of ICE agents arresting and clashing with immigrants and protestors, Mrvan said the “unnecessary and harmful maneuvers” should be avoided. “ICE should work within the legal limits to conduct their job without harming individuals. There are ways to go about making sure we live in a safe and secure nation, as we go forward, without violating due process and without intimidating or harming individuals physically,” Mrvan said. Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott also released a statement on Facebook Wednesday afternoon, and in a phone call with the Post-Tribune, he said “it’s absolutely shameful” that local leaders and residents were not told where Thursday’s news conference will take place. “It’s insane,” McDermott said. “I mean, the governor of our state is coming to Gary to talk about ICE, and he doesn’t want residents there.” McDermott doesn’t know if Thursday’s news conference means Northwest Indiana will see a greater ICE presence, he said, but he continued to say he doesn’t support ICE operations in the region. “Everybody’s got crime, and I know we have our crime pockets, but now the danger is coming from them,” McDermott said Wednesday. “This isn’t right. This isn’t normal. There was not a problem until they showed up.” McDermott believes that Noem, Braun and other officials know what they’re doing is wrong, he said. McDermott also referenced his “Mayor’s Night Out” meetings in Hammond, saying that he knows it’s important to tell residents where he will be and to be available. “Is this the Indiana way?” McDermott asked. “Is this how Hoosiers want us to conduct ourselves with government? So, am I doing ‘Mayor’s Night Out’ by telling my residents where I’m going to be, and they’re able to ask me anything they want?” Rafael Manzo, an 18-year-old Purdue University Northwest political science student, announced Wednesday that his organization, More Action for Students, plans to host a counter-protest at the Gary/Chicago International Airport at 11 a.m. Thursday. McDermott is proud to see region residents’ plans to protest Thursday. On Wednesday afternoon, McDermott said he was attempting to get approval to attend the news conference. “I would probably be with protestors, but I want to be in this meeting,” he added. “As a mayor that represents 80,000 people, I have to beg to be in the presence of these people. I have to ask them where the secret location is.” Manzo told the Post-Tribune Wednesday that he believes Noem and Braun are overstepping by not alerting Northwest Indiana officials that they will be in Gary. He’s also not surprised that Noem, Braun and other leaders didn’t consult with region leaders in announcing the news conference, Manzo said. “We’re doing a counter protest because we want to make it known that ICE isn’t welcome,” Manzo said. “Kristi Noem isn’t welcome, Gov. Braun isn’t welcome, and the director of ICE isn’t welcome here. … I want them to feel uncomfortable, and I want them to know that Gary and Northwest Indiana is not a comfortable place for ICE or Kristi Noem.” Manzo expects that the news conference will lead to more ICE presence and enforcement in Indiana. “I think it’s honestly going to be very bad news,” he added. “And then our other issue is we are scared she’s going to be disrespectful about our residents and situation here. … I’m scared she will anger the Hispanic community of Northwest Indiana.” McDermott, Melton and East Chicago Mayor Anthony Copeland have all previously voiced their opposition to ICE in Northwest Indiana. Copeland was unable to immediately comment on Thursday’s news conference. Copeland previously said East Chicago police will not partner with the federal agency, but ICE doesn’t say when or where they’re conducting arrests, according to Post-Tribune archives. ICE agents were set up in the publicly accessible part of the police department’s parking lot after Copeland’s office saw a video of agents conducting an arrest. “We have not coordinated, supported, or participated in any immigration enforcement actions, and no information has been shared with ICE regarding such matters,” Copeland’s previous statement said. “Our department’s parking facility is open to the public and may occasionally be used by other law enforcement entities. However, their presence does not indicate cooperation or endorsement.” McDermott previously supported a Hammond council resolution that would “prohibit the uncoordinated use of city property for (ICE) staging areas, processing locations or operations centers.” Melton urged Gary residents to “remain calm, prioritize safety, and be informed of their rights,” according to an Oct. 10 Gary news release. In his statement, Melton encouraged citizens to look out for each other, and provided various guidance for residents, including to prioritize safety, know their rights, don’t open doors unless agents show a warrant signed by a judge and to seek legal aid if they or someone they know is detained. “While the Gary Police Department cannot legally interfere with the operations of a federal agency, our commitment remains to the safety and civil rights of every person who calls Gary home,” Melton said. “Our police officers are here to protect all residents and enforce local laws, and they will continue to serve our community with dignity and respect for all people. … Gary is a city built on the foundation of the fight for human dignity and civil rights.” Alexandra Kukulka contributed to this article. mwilkins@chicagotribune.com
