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(NewsNation) — Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker held a news conference Thursday to highlight the "worst of the worst" examples of the Trump administration's conduct in Illinois.
He asked Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to pause all operations for the duration of the Halloween weekend to give families and communities a break.
Pritzker also spoke to Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino, asking that even if operations continue, ICE would not disrupt children's Halloween celebrations.
Pritzker said he is working to shine a light on what has been happening in the Chicago area. While the Trump administration has said it is targeting the worst of the worst, Pritzker said the targets have been families, burrito vendors, landscapers and people with no criminal record.
"We cannot let this become normalized," Pritzker said.
The governor talked about an incident in Old Irving Park where a Halloween parade was canceled after federal agents swept in with tear gas, carrying automatic weapons and detained three people. Two of those were U.S. citizens, Pritzker said.
"Armed, masked agents terrorizing people, especially children, is unsconsionable, " Pritzker said. "Don't believe it when they tell you they're going after the 'worst of the worst' gangs. They're terrorizing innocent neighborhoods and kids at Halloween parades."
Pritzker played a video from one family where the parents are being held in detention, leaving two older children who are awaiting DACA status caring for the two younger children who are American citizens.
Pritzker has been at odds with President Donald Trump over federal immigration enforcement in the Chicago area.
The state and the Trump administration have been in court over the actions of federal officers, with a judge ruling agents must wear bodycams and ordering them not to deploy tear gas during trick-or-treating on Halloween.
Trump has also attempted to deploy the National Guard in Illinois, but that plan is currently held up in the courts.
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