2 New Laws Protect Illinois Immigrant Rights
Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law 2 bills on June 28 that will protect Illinois immigrant rights against ICE and Trump attacks on immigrant communities:
“Let the word go out from today that the state of Illinois stands as a firewall against Donald Trump’s attacks on our immigrant communities. In the face of attempts to stoke fear, exploit division and force families into the shadows, we are taking action.”
- Illinois law bans participation in ICE policing program
Since 2017, ICE’s 287(g) program allows the agency to train local police officers to help identify and process immigrants charged with or convicted of a crime who are in police custody, and perform duties like fingerprinting, photographing and interviewing people for ICE. Illinois’ McHenry County had applied to participate in the 287(g) program. - Illinois law bans private civil detention facilities
Illinois had a law in place that prohibited local, county and state governments from hiring private companies to incarcerate jail or prison inmates. The new law expands that ban to immigration detainees facing deportation proceedings. A for-profit company wants to build and operate a detention facility in Dwight, Illinois.
“The new law would appear to put more pressure on ICE as it seeks to expand its immigrant detention capacity in the Chicago area. The agency recently sought proposals from firms or departments to house up to 1,000 detainees within an 80-mile radius of the city.”
New Immigration Laws
Immigration law is not national and varies by state, so immigrants face different policies and protections depending on where they live. The new laws are two of 4 bills that impact Illinois immigrant rights that Pritzer had for review.
Chicago immigration attorney Mario Godoy believes people have had enough Trump’s tactics against immigrants,
Protection for Illinois immigrants against ICE and Trump administration tactics is crucial, these new laws will help protect the rights of immigrants in our state. I’m glad to see Governor Pritzker honoring campaign promises he made in support of immigrants.
The attorneys at Chicago’s Godoy Law Office fight for rights of immigrants in Illinois and help immigrants navigate the complex and numerous immigration policies, procedures, and regulations. If you need help with an immigration issue, please contact our office at 855-554-6369.