The Chicago City Council on Wednesday blocked a proposal that would have allowed local law enforcement to help Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detain migrants with criminal records.
Chicago’s “Welcoming Cities” ordinance, pursuant to the Illinois Trust Act of 2017, prohibits local law enforcement from participating in federal immigration enforcement.
Ald Ray Lopez and Silvana Tabares wanted to change the order to allow police to cooperate with ICE in targeting migrants who had been arrested for gang or drug activity or sex crimes involving minors. Their measure sparked backlash from activist groups when they introduced the measure for the first time in 2023.
The two officials saw their proposal amendment be canceled by 39 votes to 11.
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Jordan, a Chicago resident, criticized the proposed amendment to the city’s ordinance banning local law enforcement from working with ICE.
Before Chicago officials voted against the proposed amendment, Jordan Kelly, a member of the Council on American-Islamic Relations and a resident of the 30th District, spoke out against that of Lopez and Tabares proposed amendment.
“Self-hating cowards like Ray Lopez and Tabares want to turn our city into a living hell for migrants who aren’t just Latino, by the way. CAIR Chicago currently has 40-50 open asylum cases. What do we say to these individuals and families? If we don’t remain a sanctuary? Plus, our economy can’t handle mass evictions,” Kelly said.
Immigration is a hot topic in the Windy City, with authorities having faced an influx of migrants in recent years. Many Chicagoans are frustrated with city officials, particularly Mayor Brandon Johnson and his handling of the situation.
A resident who spoke at the city council meeting Wednesday criticized Johnson
“Who are you loyal to? The American citizens of Chicago or the illegal immigrants of Chicago?” the man said. “The sanctuary law authorized by Brandon Johnson has brought in criminals, drug dealers and now terrorists.”
One resident criticized Mayor Brandon Johnson for making the city a “sanctuary” for illegal immigrants.
The vote to block the measure came after Johnson last week released new guidelines ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
Johnson’s guidance advises that if ICE enters city property, one should “contact the designated attorney or general counsel for your agency or department for additional advice.” Contact the highest official or designated supervisor on site and take no action until that person arrives. »
The guidelines advise authorities to require copies of warrants, not to consent to ICE entering “private or ‘sensitive’ locations,” but not to interfere with a search, even if it is refused. There are other recommendations, such as taking notes and keeping contemporaneous written records.
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In response to the mayor’s directives, Lopez said Johnson was making an “extraordinary effort” to stop his proposal to deport migrants with criminal records.
“I’m actually surprised that the mayor is making this extraordinary effort to try to stop what Ald. Tabares and I want to do, which is to eliminate the small number of individuals who choose to commit crimes in the city of Chicago, ” López said FOX 32 Chicago. “The talk from the mayor and his allies is that we’re trying to evict everyone – that’s simply not the case.”
Chicagoans tore Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson in the face during a recent City Council meeting called to vote on his new property tax increase proposal. (Reuters/Vincent Alban)
Trump’s Border Czar PickTom Homan, vowed to take on Chicago with tough enforcement, pledging to check the status of asylum seekers and arrest anyone offering sanctuary to illegal immigrants.
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The new border tsar also warned that Johnson would be prosecuted if he obstructed ICE’s mass deportation efforts.
Lopez nor Tabares did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
