CHICAGO – Illinois will stand as a "firewall" against enforcing federal immigration laws, Governor JB Pritzker said Friday – anticipating Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities this weekend in Chicago.
“Immigrants are an essential part of what makes this country great. In Illinois, we welcome and protect them, despite threats from President Trump,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “In the face of a coordinated attempt by the President to stoke fear, exploit division, and force families into the shadows, Illinois stands as a firewall against the president’s attacks on our immigrant communities.
"To every hardworking immigrant resident of our great state: Illinois is and always will be a welcoming state for all.”
Attorney General Kwame Raoul agreed with Pritzker, saying every resident in Illinois has constitutional rights.
“Despite what the president would have people believe, every Illinois resident has constitutional rights, regardless of citizenship or immigration status,” said Raoul. “I urge every immigrant to Know Your Rights – the first one being that you do not have to open your door to immigration agents. I also encourage Illinois law enforcement agencies to review my office’s Guidance to Law Enforcement, which details changes to state law, to ensure they do not violate those rights.”
As the state’s chief executive, Gov. Pritzker directed all state agencies that the state of Illinois to not coordinate with ICE on federal immigration enforcement. In addition, the governor signed two pieces of legislation into law last month that help make Illinois a "firewall against President Trump’s attacks," Pritzker's office says.
House Bill 1637
Keep Illinois Families Together Act
HB 1637 prohibits local law enforcement agencies from engaging in federal immigration enforcement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
While local law enforcement agencies in 21 states, including Wisconsin, participate in the 287(g) Program — an ICE program that allows local law enforcement officials to identify and remove undocumented residents from the U.S. — Illinois now statutorily prohibits participation. This bill ensures witnesses of all backgrounds can come forward and report crime to their local police. HB 1637 took effect on June 21, 2019.
House Bill 2040
Private Detention Facility Moratorium Act
HB 2040 bans immigrant detention centers in the state of Illinois, which halted the proposed federally-run center in Dwight, Ill. Specifically, the bill prohibits state, county and local governments from entering any agreement or making any financial transactions with a private detention facility, with an exception for contracts with providers of ancillary services such as medical or food services.
This law made Illinois the first state in the nation to ban private civil detention centers, after the state already banned private criminal detention centers. HB 2040 also took effect on June 21, 2019.
AG Raoul issued the following:
Attorney General’s Office Updated Immigration Guidance
Know Your Rights
The Attorney General’s office has updated its Guidance to Law Enforcement to provide an overview of changes to Illinois laws that include prohibitions on engaging in immigration enforcement. The Attorney General is also reminding immigrant residents and service providers in immigrant communities of the office’s free Know Your Rights resources. The comprehensive materials available in several languages give residents guidance in situations where they are confronted by a police officer or immigration agent in public or at home. A full fact sheet can be found here.
Every resident of Illinois has constitutional rights that protect them if they encounter law enforcement, regardless of their citizenship or immigration status. The Attorney General’s office encourages people to read and carry a Know Your Rights card with them in case they are approached by law enforcement or immigration authorities.
The Attorney General’s office also encourages individuals to contact the office to report instances of discrimination or harassment by calling its Civil Rights Hotline at 1-877-581-3692.
No statement encouraging respect for federal law enforcement was included in either the governor or the attorney general's statements.
The Trump Administration is emphasizing that all those ICE will be attempting to take into custody have exhausted all of their judicial appeals and their reason for being sent out of the country is for public safety.
