Landlord Fined $80,000 for Threatening to Call Immigration Agents on Tenants

Chicago Landlord Violates Illinois Immigrant Tenant Protection Act

A Chicago landlord, Marco Antonio Contreras, has been ordered to pay $80,000 in damages to a couple who rented an apartment from him in 2020. The couple sued Contreras under the Illinois Immigrant Tenant Protection Act, which prohibits landlords from threatening to call Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents or harassing or evicting tenants based on their immigration status.

Threats and Confrontation

According to the lawsuit, the couple rented a basement apartment from Contreras and his wife beginning in 2017. However, on June 30, 2020, Contreras went to the couple and demanded rent for the next month. During the confrontation, Contreras threatened to report the couple to immigration agents. The law prohibits such threats, and the couple felt harassed and intimidated.

Legal Action and Ruling

The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) filed the lawsuit on behalf of the couple in 2022. On February 19, an Illinois circuit court judge ordered Contreras to pay the couple $80,000 in damages, as well as attorneys’ fees and costs, for violating the tenant law. The judge also awarded a smaller sum in compensation for denying the tenants access to their belongings.

First Case Under the Law

This case is the first to reach judgment since the law was passed in 2019. Illinois was the second state in the U.S. to enact legislation protecting immigrant tenants’ rights. The couple’s experience serves as a warning to other landlords who may consider using similar tactics to intimidate or harass their tenants.

Quotes from the Couple

"We decided not to stay silent because our landlords threatened us with calling immigration, and we do not believe that anyone has a right to threaten us. No one should feel or act superior to others. We are all equals and deserve respect. Just because someone is your landlord does not mean that they get to do whatever they want to you."

Conclusion

This case highlights the importance of protecting the rights of immigrant tenants in the United States. The Illinois Immigrant Tenant Protection Act is a crucial step towards ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their immigration status, are treated with dignity and respect. Landlords who violate this law will face the consequences, as demonstrated by this case.

FAQs

• What is the Illinois Immigrant Tenant Protection Act?
  The law protects tenants from discrimination or harassment based on their immigration status.
• What are the consequences of violating this law?
  Violators can face fines and legal action, as demonstrated in this case.
• How does this law benefit immigrant tenants?
  This law ensures that immigrant tenants are treated with the same respect and dignity as all other tenants, regardless of their immigration status.