From Chicago Sun-Times · · 1m 50s
Immigrant crosses honor Silverio Villegas González
Immigrant crosses memorialize Silverio Villegas González, a man shot by federal agents in Chicago.
In brief
Immigrant crosses memorialize Silverio Villegas González, a man shot by federal agents in Chicago. Immigrant crosses honor Silverio Villegas González, who was shot by federal immigration agents in Chicago. Originally reported by Chicago Sun-Times.
Immigrant crosses memorialize
The Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago organized a traveling exhibit of immigrant crosses at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Melrose Park on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026.
Silverio Villegas González honored
The exhibit honors Silverio Villegas González, who was shot to death by a federal immigration agent in Franklin Park last fall during Trump administration’s deportation operation in Chicago.
Crosses memorialize deaths
The crosses etch names of people who died in federal immigration custody or actions with ICE, CBP, and DHS since 2020, including those who died at the border or by suicide.
Project includes 103 crosses
The Immigrant Crosses project, which began in 2020, includes 103 crosses counting all people who have reportedly died in immigration operations since 2020.
Father Brendan Curran speaks
Father Brendan Curran, co-founder of Priests for Justice for Immigrants, said the exhibit shows a broken system and the need for immigration reform.
Thomas Hocker sells goods
Thomas Hocker, who works with artisan families in El Salvador and Guatemala, sold wooden crosses and woven scarves at the church on Sunday.
Hocker shares perspective
Hocker said he feels the administration has a war on all immigrants, not just undocumented ones, and that people he knows have made their way to the United States.
Crosses inspire action
The project aims to honor deaths and inspire progress toward immigration reform and voter participation.
Project travels nationwide
The Immigrant Crosses project travels to different Catholic parishes across the country to memorialize those who have died in immigration operations.
The bottom line
Immigrant crosses honor Silverio Villegas González, who was shot by federal immigration agents in Chicago.
