The Chicago Police The department said Monday it will not help with ongoing deportations by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through the Windy City, as President Trump vows to impose border security regulations. across the country.
President Trump returned to the White House on Monday, and during his inauguration, he laid out plans to deal with issues related to illegal immigration and a limited border.
“First, I will declare a national emergency on our southern border. All illegal entry will be stopped immediately, and we will begin the process of repatriating millions upon millions of illegal immigrants. criminals to go back to the places they came from,” Trump said, adding. that he would end catch and release and send troops to the southern border to repel what he called “a dangerous invasion of our country.” I will direct our government to use the full and overwhelming power of federal and state law enforcement to eradicate the presence of all foreign gangs and criminal networks, bringing destructive crime to US soil, including our cities and towns. “
But despite President Trump's pledge to remove dangerous illegal immigrants and return them to their countries, Chicago officials made their pledge not to fulfill it.
CHICAGO MAYOR REFRESHES OPPOSITION TO TRUMP ADMIN'S IMMIGRATION REFORM
Anti-Trump supporters protest in Chicago's Loop on the day of Donald Trump's inauguration, Monday, January 20, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Chicago Police he said the municipal code includes a law that prohibits them from assisting federal immigration authorities with processing based on immigration status. The department also noted that it does not record immigration status, nor does it share the immigration status of people with government officials.
City law requires the manager to respond to the area if the immigration department requests assistance with the immigration enforcement process.
If the request is to assist in immigration law enforcement, the manager will deny the request, but if it is not related to public immigration law, the manager will take appropriate police action.
A Chicago Police Department car on a city street. (Photo via Getty Images)
“To be clear, the Chicago Police Department will not assist or participate in immigration enforcement pursuant to the City of Chicago Municipal Code,” read a statement from the police department. “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 doubled down on his pledge to oppose Trump's sweeping reform aimed at removing dangerous illegal immigrants accused of crimes from the US when he returned to the office.
The mayor's office confirmed that the city will continue to comply with the 2017 Illinois Trust Act, which prohibits local law enforcement from participating in immigration enforcement.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has vowed not to help federal agencies with immigration enforcement. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
“Chicago stands firm: no matter the circumstances, our commitment to protect and support this city remains unwavering,” Johnson wrote in a social media post. “We will continue to fight for justice and the safety of all who call this place home.”
Tens of thousands of illegal immigrants live in Chicago, although residents are asking city officials if there are not enough resources to care for them. More than 20,000 migrants have arrived in the city since August 2022, according to previous reports from the. Fox 32 Chicagoand thousands are living in shelters.
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The move drew the ire of residents after it was reported to cost the city $574.5 million through August 2022. At the last city council meeting on Dec. 3, residents objected to the property tax increase. about 60 million goods that were intended to help the authorities to overcome the financial crisis. A $1 billion budget shortfall late last year.
Joshua Q. Nelson of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.