It’s been a hectic time over the last few weeks as we fend off local and federal threats against workers. This month, we turned out against Raymond Lopez and Silvana Tabares’ attack on Chicago's Welcoming City Ordinance, gathered 150 workers to face workers’ fears head on, and sued the federal government to stop ICE’s rampage on Chicago.

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Legal Updates

Since December, we have made strides in recovering wages, opening doors to better jobs, and fighting injustice in the workplace by winning with clients in some cases and opening new paths to worker power in others. Some examples of the work in the last few months:

• Wage Theft: Two clients from Chicago Community and Workers Rights won preliminary approval of a settlement for a class of over 1,000 workers in a case alleging underpayment and mistreatment of temporary workers.
• Criminal Legal System: We won expungement and sealing of criminal records for several members of Worker Center for Racial Justice, which will help those clients overcome barriers to better jobs.
• Immigrants’ Rights: In the final weeks before major immigration policy changes, we worked with Arise Chicago, Warehouse Worker Justice, and Chicago Community and Workers Rights to secure immigration protection and work authorization for more than 250 workers.
• Gender Justice: We have filed three new lawsuits alleging sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and unlawful retaliation with workers from Warehouse Worker Justice and Chicago Workers Collaborative.

Chicago Groups Sue Trump Administration Over Immigration Raids

Last week, RTF joined Organized Communities Against Deportations (OCAD), Brighton Park Neighborhood Council (BPNC), and the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) in a lawsuit challenging Trump’s plan to conduct mass immigration raids in Chicago. Represented by Just Futures Law, Northwestern’s Community Justice and Civil Rights Clinic, and MK Law, the lawsuit argues that these raids are politically motivated retaliation against sanctuary cities, violating the First Amendment and endangering working people.

Chicago’s workers—especially those in low-wage industries—are already facing a surge in labor violations, from wage theft to unsafe conditions. Mass deportations make it even harder for workers to report abuse, giving exploitative employers more power to intimidate and silence dissent. By forcing workers into the shadows, the federal administration's agenda protects corporate interests while putting the people who build, serve, and care for this city at even greater risk.

This is a fight for workers’ rights, not just immigration policy. President Trump’s attempt to weaponize immigration enforcement against worker organizing is a direct threat to the power of unions, worker centers, and all labor advocates. Chicago’s sanctuary movement has long ensured that all workers—regardless of status—can stand up for fair wages, safety, and dignity on the job. Now, the administration is trying to dismantle those protections in service of corporate greed and political retribution.

Chicagoans will not back down. The lawsuit seeks to halt the discriminatory raids, and organizers are calling on workers and allies to continue fighting for a city where all people—no matter where they were born—can live and work with dignity.

Video courtesy of CNN.

Chicago City Council Upholds Welcoming City Ordinance

Just days before President Trump took office, the Chicago City Council voted to uphold the Welcoming City Ordinance, rejecting amendments that would have endangered immigrant workers. We joined immigrant rights groups in the City Council Chambers to stop this harmful measure, and lined up 10 people across our coalition to give public comments.

The proposed ordinance backed by Alds. Lopez and Tabares, would have allowed local law enforcement to coordinate with federal immigration authorities in cases involving undocumented residents who are arrested or convicted of certain crimes. This approach would have undermined public trust and endangered workers in low-wage jobs.

Worker centers have long fought to make Chicago a  welcoming city to ensure that all residents feel safe reporting labor violations, regardless of immigration status. The proposed carve-outs sought to criminalize immigrants and weaken collective worker autonomy, echoing divisive national rhetoric designed to scapegoat immigrant communities.

As we prepare for continued attacks in the coming months, we call on Local, State, and Federal representatives to stand firm in protecting all residents. We must focus on policies that uplift workers and families—not policies that create fear and division.

Stay Connected, Stay Ready. Join our Texting List

This is Chicago—a city built by immigrants, strengthened by workers, and defended by communities that have each other’s backs. When our rights, our families, and our livelihoods are on the line, we don’t wait for change—we organize for it.

Sign up for our text alerts and be the first to know when it’s time to take action. Whether it’s fighting anti-immigrant crackdowns, standing up for workers’ rights, or showing up for our communities, you’ll get urgent calls to action straight to your phone. 

Text “Raise” to 773-917-0727 to join, or sign up here.

Thousands Rally on Inauguration Day to Resist Trump’s Agenda

On Monday January 20th, we joined 2,500 people representing over 80 local and national organizations at Federal Plaza to protest the incoming administration and its attacks on working communities. As President Trump prepares to escalate repression and attacks, our message is clear: We refuse to back down.

RTF Worker Centers mobilized a delegation of members to the march. We met downtown and walked over together, chanting in solidarity to demand dignity, justice, and protection for all. 

Workers Unite: Over 150 Gather at Worker Assembly to Prepare for the Fight Ahead

This month, RTF hosted a Workers Assembly of over 150 workers from all seven coalition members to prepare for the next four years of struggle under President Trump’s administration

Workers shared victories, strategies, and lessons learned from their workplace campaigns, while also discussing challenges and concerns for the incoming administration. Every participant left with valuable Know Your Rights materials, ensuring they have the tools to navigate the challenges ahead.