A police department in Illinois has vowed to not cooperate with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents as they carry out raids to deport criminal undocumented immigrants under the direction of executive orders signed by President Donald Trump.
According to Fox News, in an official statement, the Waukegan Police Department has said in accordance with the Illinois Trust Act – which was passed in 2017 during Trump’s first term – the department would not be cooperating or sharing any information with ICE.
“The city’s main objective during this time is to secure and maintain the well-being of our community by following the guidance of the Illinois Attorney General Office, avoiding participation in federal enforcement efforts by preventing the sharing of information based solely on immigration status,” the official statement reads.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a post on X that Chicago officials “stand firm in our commitment to protect residents across Chicago, regardless of where they come from. Our Welcoming City Ordinance and the Illinois Trust Act ensure safety and rights for everyone.”
During a news conference, Johnson said Chicago has always been a refuge for those seeking shelter.
“I’ve expressed the love story of Chicago, multiple occasions. I’ll do it again. A black Haitian immigrant fell in love with a Potawatomi woman and established a trade post at the bank of a river. Understanding that Chicago one day be the global of the world,” Johnson said, “It’s a city that immigrants from around the world have come to find this place as refuge.”
During an interview with CNN, when asked about the “chilling” effect that the ICE raids are having on school children and their parents, border czar Tom Homan said they had nothing to worry about if they’re not a public threat or a threat to national security.
“There shouldn’t be a chilling effect unless their child’s a terrorist or a public safety threat. If they are a public safety threat and national security threat, they should be chilled, they should be afraid. Because we’re looking for them,” Homan said.
