Mayor Johnson signed an "ICE On Notice" executive order on Saturday morning, directing Chicago police to investigate any alleged illegal activity by federal immigration agents, aiming to hold them accountable for any criminal misconduct.
During the signing, Johnson said the city must prepare for federal agents to potentially return to Chicago in the spring.
"If the federal government will not hold these rogue actors accountable, then Chicago will do everything our power to bring these agents to justice," Johnson said.
Under the "ICE On Notice" order, if CPD personnel observe or receive reports of alleged violations of state or local law by federal agents, they must:
- Document federal enforcement activities in accordance with CPD policy;
- Ensure that any body camera footage captured during the incident - including footage of any use of force, detentions, injuries, or other enforcement activity - is
preserved; - Seek to identify the federal supervisory officer on scene, attempt to verify the supervisory officer's name and badge number, and record the credential verification using body-cameras-including any refusal to comply;
- Complete a report on any violation of state or local law by federal agents consistent with CPD policy;
- Immediately summon emergency medical services and render aid to any injured person on the scene
Mayor Johnson directs CPD to investigate feds' alleged misconduct
CPD must also provide any evidence of alleged felony violations to the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, the order states. Additionally, CPD must share data on federal immigration officers' alleged legal violations with the public.
'What the law says is that federal agents can be held accountable for state and local crimes if their actions were not necessary to further their federal obligations," said Sheila Bedi, counsel to the mayor and City of Chicago Chief Strategy Officer.
Johnson's office says his executive order makes Chicago "the first city in the nation to leverage local authority to pursue legal accountability for misconduct by federal immigration agents."
"So what we've done is essentially Trump-proof Chicago from these military tactics that are illegal and are insane," 6th Ward Ald. William Hall said.
"Nobody is above the law. There is no such thing as 'absolute immunity' in America," Johnson said in a statement. "The lawlessness of Trump's militarized immigration agents puts the lives and well-being of every Chicagoan in immediate danger. With today's order, we are putting ICE on notice in our city. Chicago will not sit idly by while Trump floods federal agents into our communities and terrorizes our residents."
"But whether or not the federal government will respect our local government and respect how our state functions that's gonna be interesting to see how that plays out," said Katarina Ramos with the National Immigrant Justice Center.
The Fraternal Order of Police is against the order. In an emailed statement, a spokesperson wrote in part, "This is just more political bluster from city hall... We will be exploring the legal jeopardy Brandon Johnson might be placing our members into."
Johnson's order instructs Chicago police officers to document federal enforcement activities, preserve body-camera footage from incidents, and identify federal agents on scene. The action follows the shooting of Marimar Martinez in Chicago and the killings of Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez in Franklin Park, Illinois, and Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
"These are abominable situations that we currently don't have a recourse for," said Karina Ayala-Beremejo, Instituto del Progreso Latino President and CEO. "This allows the opportunities to be evidenced to collect and record."
The executive order does not direct CPD to arrest federal personnel.
Chicago police officials have 30 days to develop a policy to implement the order.
Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin shared the following statement with ABC7 Saturday evening:
"These claims of criminal misconduct by ICE law enforcement are FALSE. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, ICE is held to the highest professional standard and officers regularly receive ongoing training. As our brave law enforcement arrests and removes dangerous criminal illegal aliens, including murderers, rapists, and gang members from our communities, America can be proud of the professionalism our officers bring the job day-in and day-out.
"Instead of working with us, Illinois sanctuary politicians RELEASE violent criminals from their jails directly back into our communities to perpetrate more crimes and create more victims.
"Illinois' failure to honor ICE detainers has resulted in the release of 1,768 criminal illegal aliens since January 20. The crimes of these aliens include 5 homicides, 141 assaults, 23 burglaries, 4 robberies, 24 dangerous drugs offenses, 15 weapons offenses, and 10 sexual predatory offenses.
"There are currently 4,015 aliens in the custody of an Illinois jurisdiction with an active detainer. The crimes of these aliens include 51 homicides, 1,134 assaults, 107 burglaries, 36 robberies, 275 dangerous drugs offenses, 120 weapons offenses, and 813 sexual predatory offenses."