The Impact of an Illinois Law Barring Police from Working with Immigration Agents

A Complex Issue with Far-Reaching Consequences

The Illinois law prohibiting local police from cooperating with immigration agents has been in place since 2017, when it was signed by Republican Governor Bruce Rauner. The law was aimed at allowing individuals in the country illegally to feel safe reporting crimes and cooperating with law enforcement without fear of deportation. Since then, the law has been strengthened, and local police departments are no longer allowed to use their jail space for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention and deportation purposes.

Consequences of the Law

The impact of this law is multifaceted and far-reaching. Kankakee County Sheriff Mike Downey, for example, has expressed frustration with the law, stating that he cannot call ICE to report an individual who has been released from custody, citing the law’s restrictions. This has led to instances where individuals, like the two men who fled from law enforcement and were later released, are able to escape accountability for their actions.

The Cost of Non-Collaboration

Kankakee County, in particular, has borne a significant financial cost as a result of the law. From 2016 to 2022, the county earned $17 million from renting out its jail space to ICE for detention and deportation purposes. The sheriff has emphasized that the issue goes beyond the financial implications, stating, “I just don’t believe that Illinois will ever be a safe state until our governor decides to effect policy change and I don’t see him doing that.”

A Governor’s Stance

Governor JB Pritzker has been a vocal advocate for the law, vowing to stand between the incoming Trump administration’s plans for mass deportation and Illinois immigrants, including the over 50,000 individuals who have been sent to Chicago for asylum processing. When asked if he might soften his stance on individuals in the country illegally who are charged with committing crimes, Pritzker drew a distinction between those who have already faced trial and those who have not. “Violent criminals who are undocumented and convicted of violent crime should be deported,” he said.

A Concerned Community

The law has also raised concerns among community members, particularly those who are directly affected by it. Erendira Rendon, a member of The Resurrection Project, emphasized that the law’s impact is not limited to individuals who have committed crimes. “The folks that maybe commit a crime is very, very small in the immigrant community and mass deportation is talking about millions of people… In order to get millions of people, you are going to be removing folks who may be homeowners who have been here 20-30 years, like in the case of my family.”

A Nation in Turmoil

The issue of immigration and deportation is a complex and contentious one, with both sides presenting valid arguments. The Trump administration’s plans for mass deportation have been met with widespread criticism, and the Illinois law is just one example of the many challenges facing the country in this area. As Rendon noted, “You can’t keep saying it is only the immigrants’ fault when, at the end of the day, Congress hasn’t passed a bill since 1986 to fix it.”

FAQs

* What is the Illinois law that bars police from working with immigration agents?
The law, signed by Governor Bruce Rauner in 2017, prohibits local police departments from cooperating with ICE and detaining individuals based on their immigration status.
* What are the consequences of the law?
The law has led to instances where individuals, like the two men who fled from law enforcement, are able to escape accountability for their actions. It has also resulted in significant financial losses for counties like Kankakee, which previously earned revenue from renting out its jail space to ICE.
* What is Governor Pritzker’s stance on the issue?
Governor Pritzker has vowed to stand between the incoming Trump administration’s plans for mass deportation and Illinois immigrants, including those who have been sent to Chicago for asylum processing. He has also emphasized the need to prioritize public safety, stating that violent criminals who are undocumented and convicted of violent crime should be deported.