Two people, reported to be illegal immigrants, were arrested Thursday in connection with a man's murder in Chicago over the weekend.
George Levin, 63, was found dead by his sister Sunday night, according to local media reports. He had been bound with duct tape, and his legs tied with an extension cord.
Newsweek reached out to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for comment via email Thursday afternoon.
The Context
Illegal immigrant crime has been in the spotlight over recent months, particularly in the lead-up to the presidential election, with President Donald Trump running on a promise to deport those in the country illegally who commit crimes.
Americans largely support immigration reform overall but disagree about how policies such as deportations should be carried out. A New York Times/Ipsos poll carried out from January 2 to 10, found 55 percent of voters strongly or somewhat supported deportations. Eighty-eight percent supported "Deporting immigrants who are here illegally and have criminal records." Large majorities of both Democrats and Republicans agreed that the immigration system is broken.
Chicago is a sanctuary city, meaning officials do not have to ask for a suspect's immigration status or reveal that information to federal authorities.
What To Know
Levin was found in the basement of his Norwood Park neighborhood home late Sunday night. He was taken to the nearby Ascension Resurrection medical center but was pronounced dead by medics.
The man's cause of death was put down to multiple injuries from an assault and ruled as a homicide, the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed to Newsweek.
Chicago Police Department confirmed to Newsweek that two people were being held and that an investigation was still underway. The department did not answer questions about the suspects' immigration status.
Local media reported that the suspects were both illegal immigrants, one from Ecuador and the other from Venezuela, but that remained unconfirmed Thursday afternoon.
Chicago has been one of the focal points for ICE action despite limited raids so far under the Trump administration. The city welcomed several thousand immigrants over the past two years as part of a program that saw Texas Governor Greg Abbott bus those who had crossed the southwest border illegally to sanctuary cities.
New border czar Tom Homan had suggested in December that Chicago would be the first point of call for ICE officers once Trump returned to the White House, with a plan leaked a few days before his inauguration to do just that. The action was then delayed until later in the week.
What People Are Saying
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, speaking to reporters about sanctuary policies Tuesday: "We stand firm in our commitment to protect residents across Chicago, regardless of where they come from. Our Welcoming City Ordinance and the Illinois Trust Act ensure safety and rights for everyone."
What Happens Next
The CPD is continuing its investigation into Levin's death, with charges still pending Thursday afternoon.
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