Chicago is blocking a proposal that would have allowed police to work with ICE to target migrant criminals
The Chicago City Council on Wednesday blocked a proposal that would have allowed local police forces to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in detaining migrants with criminal records.
Chicago’s “welcoming city” ordinance, under the Illinois Foundation Act of 2017, prohibits local police from participating in federal immigration enforcement.
Ald Ray Lopez and Silvana Tabares wanted to change the ordinance to allow police to cooperate with ICE in targeting migrants who was arrested for gang or drug related activities or sex crimes involving minors. Their measure was met with a reaction from activist groups when it they introduced the measure for the first time in 2023.
Two officials saw their proposed amendment be defeated by a vote of 39-11.
CHICAGO’S FAITH LEADERS FIGHT FOR MASS DEPORTATIONS, STOP HOSTING PERSONAL SPANISH MINISTERS: REPORT
Jordan, a Chicago resident, strongly condemned a proposed amendment to the city’s ordinance that would prohibit local police from working with ICE.
Before Chicago officials voted on the proposed amendment, Jordan Kelly, a member of the Council on American-Islamic Relations and a resident of the 30th District, spoke against Lopez and Tabares proposed amendment.
“Self-hating cowards like Ray Lopez and Tabares want to turn our city into a hell for migrants who aren’t just Latinos by the way. CAIR Chicago currently has 40-50 open asylum cases. What do we tell these people and families. Besides, if we don’t stay sanctuary, our economy cannot handle mass deportations,” Kelly said.
Immigration has been a heated issue in the Windy City as officials have had to contend with a wave of migrants in recent years. Many Chicagoans they are frustrated with city officials, especially Mayor Brandon Johnson and his handling of the situation.
One resident who spoke at Wednesday’s city council meeting strongly condemned Johnson
“Who are you loyal to? American citizens in Chicago or illegal immigrants in Chicago?” the man said. “The sanctuary law that Brandon Johnson allowed has brought in criminals, drug dealers, and now terrorists.”
One resident criticized Mayor Brandon Johnson for turning the city into a “sanctuary” for illegal immigrants.
The vote to block the measure followed Johnson’s last week issued new guidelines on the eve of the return of the newly elected President Donald Trump to the White House.
The Johnson guidelines advise that if ICE enters city property to “contact your agency or department’s attorney or general counsel for further instructions. Contact the most senior official or designated supervisor on site and take no action until that person arrives.”
The guidance advises officers to request copies of warrants, not to consent to ICE entering “any private or ‘sensitive’ locations,” but not to interfere with any search, even if it is refused. There are other recommendations, such as note-taking and contemporaneous written records.
CHICAGO REMOVES LARGEST HOMELESS CAMP, MOVES TENT DWELLERS INTO APARTMENTS AND SHELTERS: REPORT
In response to the mayor’s directive, Lopez said Johnson is making “extraordinary efforts” to stop his proposal to remove migrants with criminal records.
“I’m surprised, actually, that the mayor is going through this extraordinary effort to try to stop what Ald. Tabares and I want to do, which is to remove the small number of individuals who choose to commit crimes in the city of Chicago,” Lopez told FOX 32 Chicago. “The narrative from the mayor and his allies is that we’re trying to remove everything — that’s just not the case.”
Chicagoans ripped Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s face during a recent City Council meeting called to vote on his new property tax hike proposal. (Reuters/Vincent Alban)
Trump’s pick for border czarTom Homan, vowed to go to Chicago with tough enforcement, vowing to check the status of asylum seekers and arrest anyone harboring illegal immigrants.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
The new border czar also warned that Johnson would be prosecuted if he obstructed ICE’s Mass Deportation Efforts.
Neither Lopez nor Tabares immediately responded to a request for comment.
