In Chicago, a firm stance has been taken against the use of city property by federal immigration agents, as Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order establishing what's been termed an "ICE Free Zone." The move is part of an initiative aimed at reinforcing the constitutional rights of residents and upholding local authority against federal overreach, particularly by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The executive order prohibits these agents from using City-owned property in their operations within Chicago, as reported by the city's official website.
Outlining the reasons behind this decision, "We will not tolerate ICE agents violating our residents’ constitutional rights nor will we allow the federal government to disregard our local authority," Mayor Johnson said in a statement obtained by the city's press channel. The mayor's comments follow incidents where ICE has reportedly used public areas such as school parking lots for staging immigration raids, against the principles of Chicago's Welcoming City Ordinance. According to the executive order, City departments and agencies have five days to comply by labeling prohibited areas and setting up physical barriers when possible.
Amongst the misdeeds attributed to federal agents, the reported abuses include detaining elected officials, deploying tear gas, and extreme measures taken against civilians and police officers. The new measure is designed to protect not only the immigrant community but all Chicagoans from these incursions. The Mayor's Office intends to distribute official signage and "Know Your Rights" materials, clarifying the limitations placed on federal agents and the rights of individuals confronted on private property, according to the city's official announcement.
This latest executive order underscores Chicago's commitment to its immigrant communities and the constitutional protections afforded to all residents. While the order restricts the use of city infrastructure for immigration enforcement purposes, it does not affect the lawful use of City property for other activities. The details of Mayor Johnson's "Protecting Chicago" initiative and the signed executive order can be found on the City Clerk's website, and additional resources are made available at chicago.gov/protect.
