CHICAGO (AP) — The sight of armed, camouflaged and masked Border Patrol agents making arrests near famous downtown Chicago landmarks has amplified concerns about the Trump administration’s growing federal intervention across U.S. cities.

As Memphis, Tennessee, and Portland, Oregon brace for a federal law enforcement surge, residents in the nation’s third-largest city responded to a weekend escalation of immigration enforcement tactics with anger, fear and discrimination claims.

“It looks un-American,” said Chicago Alderman Brandon Reilly, who represents downtown on the City Council. He described the Sunday display as a “photo opp” for President Donald Trump, echoing sentiments shared by other local leaders.

Trump has claimed the expansion of federal immigration agents and National Guard troops into American cities is necessary, blaming Democrats for crime and lax immigration policies. Following a crime crackdown in the District of Columbia and immigration enforcement initiatives in Los Angeles, he has described Portland as “war-ravaged” and threatened to unleash an apocalyptic force in Chicago.

“Whether it happens here in the city or the suburbs, it’s all the same to us,” Border Patrol agent Gregory Bovino, known for aggressive tactics in Los Angeles, stated as he patrolled Chicago streets with dozens of agents.

Chicago Raises Discrimination Claims

Many Chicagoans are already uneasy following the start of a federal immigration crackdown earlier this month. Agents have primarily targeted immigrant-heavy and largely Latino neighborhoods for their operations.

The presence of dozens of Border Patrol agents on Michigan Avenue and upscale neighborhoods heightened tensions significantly.

Activists and local leaders are particularly concerned about racial profiling, especially after the Supreme Court lifted restrictions on roving patrols in Los Angeles, allowing immigration agents to make stops based on race, language, profession, or location.

In Chicago, a Latino family of four was reportedly taken away by federal agents near the well-known “Cloud Gate” sculpture, commonly referred to as “The Bean.”

“This public display of racial profiling and detaining immigrants in broad daylight is a major escalation by the Trump administration,” said Veronica Castro with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.

U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, an Illinois Democrat, stated that agents are continuing to profile based on appearance.

Bovino reiterated that agents aim to apprehend “anyone who is here illegally,” indicating that a person’s appearance factors into their assessments. He added that agents rely on their experiences or intelligence suggesting there are undocumented immigrants in a particular area.

The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to inquiries on Monday.

Activism Follows the Agents

As Border Patrol agents marched near downtown, a group of activists and concerned citizens trailed closely behind. In one incident, agents pursued a man on a bicycle who attempted to flee.

Shirley Zuniga celebrated her 24th birthday when she witnessed the agents. Wearing a hot pink birthday sash, she abandoned her brunch to follow them.

Zuniga, one of the first in her family to be born in the U.S. as a Honduran immigrant, expressed deep emotions, declaring, “This is much more important to me,” as she shouted for the agents to retreat. “I’m celebrating my people.”

Portland Goes to Court

In Oregon, Democratic Attorney General Dan Rayfield filed a motion in federal court seeking to temporarily block the Trump administration from deploying the National Guard.

This action is part of a lawsuit Rayfield filed on Sunday, after state officials received a letter from the Defense Department indicating that 200 members of the state’s National Guard would be placed under federal control for 60 days to “protect Federal property” in areas expecting protests.

Portland Mayor Keith Wilson and Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek joined other state leaders in objecting to the proposed deployment.

“Stationing our own military on our streets is an abuse of power and undermines trust in our communities and our service members,” Rayfield stated on Monday.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Portland has been the focal point of nightly protests that reached a peak in June, with sporadic clashes occurring since that time.

A larger demonstration took place at the building on Sunday, leading to two arrests for assault, according to law enforcement. The event followed a peaceful march earlier that day, attended by thousands without any arrests.

Memphis Residents Worry

Residents in Memphis remained in anticipation as the planned federal law enforcement surge ordered by Trump commenced on Monday. However, reports of significant operations did not materialize immediately.

Nonetheless, some residents, particularly Latino community members, voiced concerns about increased immigration enforcement potentially leading to detentions regardless of immigration status.

“We know the presence of the National Guard will deter our neighbors from seeking help when they need medical assistance, reporting crimes, or accessing social services due to fear of military presence,” stated Sandra Pita, a community organizer.

In recent years, the city has dealt with escalating violent crime rates, including carjackings and homicides, though both Democratic and Republican leaders have noted a decrease in certain crime categories this year within the majority-Black city.

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Associated Press writers Adrian Sanz in Memphis and Clare Rush in Portland contributed to this report.