Chicago Mayor Strengthens Sanctuary Policy Amid Immigration Crackdown
Chicago’s Democratic Mayor Brandon Johnson has taken steps to expand his administration’s sanctuary policies as illegal immigration issues come to the forefront. On Monday, he enacted an executive order establishing an “ICE Free Zone” throughout the city, effectively limiting the use of city property by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal immigration agencies.
According to the mayor’s office, this move reflects Johnson’s strong opposition to the previous administration’s immigration enforcement efforts. “We will not tolerate ICE agents who infringe on the constitutional rights of our residents and will not permit the federal government to disregard our local governance,” he stated in an official release.
Johnson further emphasized, “With this executive order, Chicago stands firm in its commitment to protect the civil rights of its residents and immigrant communities while upholding democratic values.”
As part of this order, Chicago officials have pinpointed city-owned locations currently or previously used for federal immigration enforcement. Johnson insisted that these properties are not to be utilized for immigration enforcement actions. Additionally, private entities can identify their properties as “ICE-free” and may receive complimentary signage to indicate this status.
Chicago has long served as a sanctuary city, with a major ordinance reinforcing this status introduced by Democratic leaders in January 2021. The city has curtailed cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities significantly.
This latest Sanctuary Order follows another initiative Johnson enacted last month, aimed at legally combating immigration enforcement and the deployment of the National Guard in Chicago. He also introduced a “right to protest” order in September, aiming to safeguard First Amendment rights, even in the face of potential federal intervention.
Johnson’s increased executive actions started in early September, largely in reaction to Operation Midway Blitz, an ICE enforcement operation in Illinois. Protests against intensified ICE activities have become heated, with some confrontations erupting between demonstrators and federal agents.
On Saturday, tensions soared when Border Patrol agents encountered anti-ICE protesters while trying to conduct patrols in Chicago suburbs. The situation escalated, forcing agents to fire defensively amid chaotic circumstances. It later emerged that Chicago police were instructed not to assist Border Patrol agents during this disturbance.
In response to the situation, Tricia McLaughlin, deputy secretary of homeland security, remarked, “Thankfully, this incident did not result in serious injuries, but it’s unfortunate that the Chicago Police Department has failed to support securing the area.”
Meanwhile, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raul has announced legal action aimed at halting the Trump administration’s deployment of National Guard troops in states.
