Chicago should work with feds to deport some undocumented immigrants, alders say

CHICAGO - Two city council members proposed a change to the city's ordinance that prohibits Chicago police from cooperating with federal immigration authorities to deport undocumented immigrants arrested or convicted of crimes.

Alds. Raymond Lopez (15th) and Silvana Tabares (23rd) filed a notice on Tuesday, requesting a vote on the amendment during next Wednesday’s City Council meeting.

The amendment aims to address concerns that the current ordinance, which prohibits any cooperation with federal immigration authorities, could inadvertently harm law-abiding undocumented residents. 

Lopez and Tabares argued that by failing to notify federal authorities about individuals involved in serious criminal activity, the city risks federal agents targeting entire communities, leading to collateral deportations.

This amendment was first brought up in September of 2023 and was in response to the influx of migrants Chicago was seeing at the time.

"All the residents in Chicago, they have sacrificed services and their tax dollars to appease and accommodate migrants and their advocates and it's time now to say that we're not going to, you know. They shouldn't tolerate living in an unsafe neighborhood," said Tabares. "We should make our neighborhoods safer."

"Our goal is to protect those that deserve our protection: law-abiding undocumented and non-citizen residents who contribute positively to our city," Lopez and Tabares said in a statement. "This narrow amendment ensures federal authorities focus only on those engaging in dangerous, illegal activity, preserving the safety of our communities while maintaining Chicago's immigrant-friendly legacy."

Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez, of the 25th Ward, doesn’t agree with the amendment and said it’s just a political move.

"I think it’s more political theater in a time that or a city in our constituents need reassurance from elected officials that we're going to do everything we can to make sure that their families are safe," said Ald. Sigcho Lopez.

He added as for finding criminals – the legal process already has a system in place, a due process, whether you are undocumented or not.

"To use these narratives to go after our city and our constituents truly is shameful on those members of the city council," said Ald. Sigcho Lopez.

Last month, President-elect Donald Trump's incoming border czar Tom Homan made comments to a Northwest Side GOP group, revealing his plans to handle mass deportations in Chicago.

"Chicago is in trouble because your mayor sucks and your governor sucks," Homan said.

Homan also warned he would prosecute Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson should he impede Immigration and Customs Enforcement's efforts to deport undocumented immigrants.

"If your Chicago mayor doesn't want to help, he can step aside," Homan said. "But if he impedes us, if he knowingly harbors an illegal alien, I will prosecute him."

Gov. JB Pritzker expressed doubts about Homan's authority to carry out his threats.

"We have laws that protect undocumented immigrants, and we're going to follow the law. I'm concerned that the Trump administration and his lackeys aren't," Pritzker said at a December news conference. 

Pritzker said he agrees with Homan in one respect.

"Violent criminals who are undocumented and convicted of violent crime should be deported," he said. "I do not want them in my state, I don't think they should be in the United States."

Lopez said Wednesday the amendment is to protect vulnerable undocumented immigrants who are living here peacefully.

"We are not concerned with the political theatrics of returning President Trump or Mayor Johnson," Lopez said. "Our goal is to protect those that deserve our protection: those undocumented and non-citizen residents of Chicago that follow the law and contribute positively to our city while waiting for a path out of the shadows."