Chicago officials criticized Mayor Brandon Johnson for issuing new guidelines for dealing with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration.
Johnson on Friday Guidelines issued on how to handle ICE visits to city property, reaffirming his department's “commitment to the city's Welcoming Ordinance.”
In preparation for the change in federal administration, the mayor's office has confirmed that the city will continue to comply with the Illinois Trust Act of 2017, which prohibits local law enforcement from participating in the enforcement of federal immigration laws.
If ICE enters city property, Johnson's guidelines advise: “Contact your agency or department's designated attorney or general counsel for further guidance. Contact the highest-ranking official or designated supervisor on site and do not take any action until that person arrives.” ”
As the migrant crisis continues and crime surges in the Windy City, Mayor Johnson enacts a 60-day shelter clearing policy for migrants. (Getty Images/AP)
The guidance states to require copies of search warrants, not to consent to ICE entry to “any private or ‘sensitive’ locations,” but not to interfere with any search, even if refused. There are other recommendations, including taking notes and keeping contemporaneous written records.
“The mayor and corporate counsel are in contact with department heads on guidelines to ensure Chicago remains a welcoming city for all of its residents,” the mayor's office said.
But Alderman Ray Lopez of the 15th District criticized Johnson's efforts Fox 32 Chicago.
“I'm amazed, actually, that the mayor is making 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 have chosen to commit crimes in the city of Chicago,” Lopez said.
He went on to say,
Lopez's comments came after he and fellow Alderman Silvana Tabares of the 23rd District proposed an amendment to the Welcoming City Ordinance. According to FOX 32, their legislation would allow local agencies to work with ICE to target undocumented individuals who have been “arrested or convicted of certain crimes.”
“The narrative of the mayor and his allies is that we are trying to remove everyone, and that is simply not the case,” Lopez said.
He noted that arrests must be for “one of four categories of crimes: gang-related activity, drug-related activity, prostitution and human trafficking, or sexual crimes involving minors.”
The legislation is expected to be voted on at Wednesday's City Council meeting.
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Many Chicagoans have been protesting against housing the influx of immigrants in their neighborhoods since the beginning of the year. (Screenshot/Fox 32 Chicago)
Lopez further explained that the Trump administration will focus on undocumented individuals, those with temporary protected status, those who have a criminal background and are “dangerous.”
“We see Congress moving in this direction, in a bipartisan way. Why don't we try to join them in this effort? It really begs the question, who is the mayor trying to protect and why is he so adamant about protecting criminals here in the city of Chicago.”
Trump's pick for border czarTom Homan vowed to go after Chicago with tough enforcement as he criticized Illinois political leaders.
Recently arrived migrants sit on cots and the floor of a city-run temporary shelter at O'Hare International Airport on August 31, 2023. ((Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images))
Speaking at a GOP holiday party last month, Homan detailed his plan, pledging to check the status of asylum seekers and arrest anyone who provides sanctuary to illegal immigrants.
Furthermore, Homan warned that Johnson would be prosecuted if he obstructed the order ICE's mass deportation efforts.
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Chicago officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment Fox News Digital.
