In recent times, the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Border Patrol in retail parking lots, including those of Target, has become a growing concern for both customers and employees. In the last month there are reports of at least five people being kidnapped in the parking lot of the Peterson Target in the West Ridge neighborhood of Chicago. 

Target has repeatedly allowed ICE and Border Patrol to use its parking lots and service drive to as a staging ground for coordination before heading into surrounding residential areas to target vulnerable residents of the community. The neighborhoods that surround the Peterson Ave Target include West Ridge, Edgewater, Rogers Park, North Park, and Lincoln Square. These neighborhoods are some of the most culturally diverse in Chicago and have a high number of immigrants from across the globe.

For many members of the community, particularly those who are immigrants or who come from immigrant families, the mere sight of militarized ICE or CBP carries the threat of violence and can be distressing. For many neighbors, particularly those who live directly adjacent to it, Target is their neighborhood store. Because of Target’s complicity neighbors must travel to safely access goods and services. When concerned
residents brought this issue to the attention of Target’s management, they were told that it is Target’s corporate policy not to interfere with ICE or CBP, even if that means turning a blind eye to actions in the parking lots and making the residents of the community feel
unsafe.

It is imperative that Target takes a stand to protect its community by making its parking lots free from such immigration enforcement operations and help protect the safety of residents. Chicago and Illinois are sanctuary spaces. We demand that Target follow suit.

We demand that Target at the corporate level take a stand, not make each store manager make decisions that may also put managers and employees at risk for intimidation or harassment. 

We call upon Target's leadership to take swift and decisive action in safeguarding the wellbeing, comfort and security of its community. By signing this petition, you are urging Target to reaffirm its commitment to providing a safe and welcoming environment for everyone, unimpeded by the presence of intimidating and unnecessary militarized federal activities.