The Chicago police The department said Monday it will not assist with threatened deportations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through the Windy City, as President Trump promises to impose sweeping border security policies across the country.
President Trump returned to the White House on Monday and during his inauguration presented plans to address the problems of illegal immigration and a weakened border.
“First, I will declare a national emergency at our southern border. All illegal entry will immediately cease, and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens to the places they came from,” Trump said. that he will end catch-and-release and send troops to the southern border to repel what he called the “disastrous invasion of our country.” By invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, I will direct our government to use the full and immense power of federal and state law enforcement to eliminate the presence of all foreign gangs and criminal networks bringing devastating crime into American soil including our cities and inner cities.
But despite President Trump’s promise to remove dangerous illegal immigrants and return them to their countries, officials in Chicago themselves have vowed not to comply.
CHICAGO MAYOR REITERATES OPPOSITION TO INCOMING TRUMP ADMIN’S IMMIGRATION REFORM
Anti-Trump activists 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 said the municipal code contains legislation that prevents them from assisting federal immigration authorities with enforcement based on immigration status. The department also noted that it does not document immigration status or share the immigration status of individuals with federal authorities.
The city ordinance requires an on-site supervisor to respond if an immigration agency requests assistance with a civil immigration enforcement operation.
If the request is to assist in the enforcement of civil immigration law, the supervisor will deny the request, but if it is not related to civil immigration law, the supervisor will direct appropriate police action.
Chicago police vehicle on city street. (Photo via Getty Images)
“To be clear, the Chicago Police Department will not assist or intervene in civil immigration enforcement in accordance with the City of Chicago Municipal Code,” the police statement said. “As always, we will continue to enforce the law when a crime occurs, regardless of the citizenship status of those involved.”
Police released 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 returns to his office.
The mayor’s office assured that the city would continue to comply with the Illinois Trust Act of 2017, which prohibits local law enforcement officers from participating in federal immigration enforcement.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has vowed not to help federal agencies enforce immigration law. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
“Chicago stands strong: no matter the circumstances, our commitment to protect and support this city remains steadfast,” Johnson wrote in a social media post. “We will continue to fight for the justice and safety of all who call this place home.”
Tens of thousands of illegal immigrants remain in Chicago, despite residents pleading with city officials that there are not enough resources to care for them. According to previous reports from Fox 32 Chicagoand thousands are in shelters.
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Hosting migrants has angered residents after reportedly costing the city $574.5 million since August 2022. At a previous City Council meeting on Dec. 3, residents objected to a roughly $60 million property tax increase proposed to help officials overcome a problem. A budget deficit of $1 billion late last year.
Joshua Q. Nelson of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
