the chicago police The State Department said Monday it will not assist with looming deportations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through the Windy City, as President Trump pledged to impose sweeping border security policies across the country.
President Trump returned to the White House on Monday, and during his inauguration, he laid out plans to address issues surrounding illegal immigration and weak borders.
“First, I will declare a national emergency on our southern border,” Trump said. “All illegal entries will stop immediately, and we will begin the process of returning millions upon millions of criminal aliens to the places from which they came.” He would end arrests and releases and send troops to the southern border to repel what he called “the disastrous invasion of our country.” By invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, I will direct our government to use the full and massive force of federal and state law enforcement to eliminate the presence of all foreign gangs and criminal networks, bringing devastating crime to American soil, including our cities and inner cities.
But despite President Trump's pledge to remove dangerous illegal immigrants and return them to their countries, Chicago officials have vowed not to comply.
Chicago Mayor reiterates his opposition to Trump's immigration reforms
Anti-Trump activists protest in the Chicago area on Donald Trump's inauguration day, Monday, January 20, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
chicago police He said the municipal code includes legislation that prevents them from assisting federal immigration enforcement enforcement based on immigration status. The department also noted that it does not document immigration status, nor does it share individuals' immigration status with federal authorities.
City law requires a supervisor to respond to the scene if an immigration agency requests assistance with a civil immigration enforcement process.
If the request is intended to assist in civil immigration enforcement, the Supervisor will deny the request, but if it has nothing to do with civil immigration law, the Supervisor will take appropriate police action.
Chicago Police Department vehicle on a city street. (Image via Getty Images)
“To be clear, the Chicago Police Department will not assist or interfere with civil immigration enforcement pursuant to the City of Chicago Municipal Code,” the police department statement said. “As always, we will continue to enforce the law if a crime occurs, regardless of the citizenship status of those involved.”
The police department issued the statement a day after Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson reiterated his pledge to oppose Trump's sweeping reforms aimed at removing dangerous illegal immigrants accused of crimes from the United States when he returns to office.
The mayor's office confirmed that the city will continue to adhere to the 2017 Illinois Trust Act, which prohibits local law enforcement from participating in the enforcement of federal immigration laws.
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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has vowed not to help federal agencies enforce immigration laws. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
“Chicago stands strong: No matter the circumstances, our commitment to protecting and supporting this city remains steadfast,” Johnson wrote in a social media post. “We will continue to fight for justice and safety for all who call this place home.”
Tens of thousands of illegal immigrants reside in Chicago, despite residents pleading with city officials about not having enough resources to provide for them. More than 20,000 migrants have arrived in the city since August 2022, according to previous reports from Fox 32 Chicagoand thousands in shelters.
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Sheltering the migrants has angered residents after costing the city $574.5 million since August 2022. At a previous City Council meeting on December 3, residents objected to a property tax increase of about $60 million that was proposed to help officials weather the crisis. Billion dollar budget deficit By the end of last year.
Fox News Digital's Joshua Q. Nelson contributed to this report.
