Chicago’s Sanctuary City Status Under Investigation Amid Immigration Raids
City of Chicago Receives Letter from Washington, D.C.
On Monday, Mayor Brandon Johnson received a letter from Washington, D.C. that states in summary that Chicago and other cities like it – notably Denver, New York, and Boston – all of which hold sanctuary city status, are being investigated by the committee on oversight and government reform.
Letter Accuses Sanctuary Jurisdictions of “Misguided and Obstructionist Policies”
The letter refers to sanctuary jurisdictions as having “misguided and obstructionist policies” which hinder the abilities of federal law enforcement officers. Because of that, the committee wants a plethora of documents and information relating to our sanctuary city policies, including things like all communications among or between any city official, employee, or contractor.
Mayor Invited to Testify in Washington, D.C.
In the letter, Johnson is also invited to testify in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, February 11.
ICE Raids in Chicago and Nationwide
ICE officers began carrying out raids in Chicago and across the U.S. over the last few days. WGN News has reached out to the mayor for comment and whether he will attend the meeting, but has not yet heard back.
Border Czar Visits Chicago
Earlier Monday afternoon, WGN’s sister station in Washington, D.C. caught up with “border czar” Tom Homan, who was in Chicago on Sunday, and asked him what he had to say about how things are being handled.
“We’ve been very successful. In one weekend, numbers are extraordinary. Borders are more secure. It’s been a very long time,” Homan said. “We’re going to force immigration law. We’re going to make this country safe again.”
What is Sanctuary City Status?
Sanctuary city status refers to a policy where local governments, like the City of Chicago, limit their cooperation with federal immigration authorities. This can include not detaining individuals based on immigration status or not sharing information about individuals with federal authorities.
What are the Concerns?
The concerns surrounding sanctuary city status are twofold. Some argue that it hinders the ability of federal law enforcement officers to do their job, while others argue that it is a necessary step to ensure public safety and trust in law enforcement.
What are the Next Steps?
The City of Chicago has 30 days to respond to the letter and provide the requested information. The mayor’s office has not yet commented on whether he will attend the meeting in Washington, D.C.
Conclusion
The investigation into Chicago’s sanctuary city status is ongoing, and it remains to be seen what the outcome will be. In the meantime, the National Immigrant Justice Center and the Illinois Coalition of Immigrant and Refugee Rights have set up a hotline for immigrants looking for assistance. That hotline can be reached at 1-855-HELP-MY-FAMILY.
FAQs
- What is sanctuary city status?
- What are the concerns surrounding sanctuary city status?
- What are the next steps?
- How can I get assistance?
Sanctuary city status refers to a policy where local governments, like the City of Chicago, limit their cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
The concerns surrounding sanctuary city status are twofold. Some argue that it hinders the ability of federal law enforcement officers to do their job, while others argue that it is a necessary step to ensure public safety and trust in law enforcement.
The City of Chicago has 30 days to respond to the letter and provide the requested information. The mayor’s office has not yet commented on whether he will attend the meeting in Washington, D.C.
You can contact or visit the National Immigrant Justice Center or the Illinois Coalition of Immigrant and Refugee Rights for more information and assistance. They have also set up a hotline for immigrants looking for assistance, which can be reached at 1-855-HELP-MY-FAMILY.
