An internal memo from the Chicago Police Department instructs officers not to assist the Department of Homeland Security in any immigrant arrests. Instead, officers are told to wait until a CPD supervisor arrives on the scene and gives instructions:
“if the request is to assist with an immigration arrest or detention, CPD personnel will leave the scene as directed by the CPD supervisor.”
Chicago is a sanctuary city under current Mayor Lori Lightfoot under former Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot permanently banned ICE officials from accessing the city’s police databases.
Fox News is has seen a copy of the internal CPD memo and reports that ‘this new directive went a step further by instructing, in writing, that the city’s police force no longer immediately assist DHS.” A DHS spokesperson told Fox News
“The Department of Homeland Security is deeply concerned with the dangerous anti-law enforcement direction given by the leadership of the Chicago Police Department. The men and women of ICE put their lives on the line every day to protect the citizens of this country from dangerous criminals. Failing to support fellow law enforcement officers upon request for assistance not only places our heroic police officers in greater danger but keeps criminals on the streets and makes all of our communities less safe, specifically the great City of Chicago.”
Historically, CPD officers have cooperated and assisted other agencies. Judge Andrew Napolitano said the city of Chicago is within its constitutional rights not to immediately assist DHS, “The Supreme Court has ruled that a state or local government is free to refrain from enforcing federal law.”
The Chicago Police Department confirmed the memo came from an internal CPD superior but would not say if the directive came from the office of the mayor.
The immigration attorneys at Godoy Law Office in Chicago and Lombard can help you with your immigration case. If you need help with an immigration issue, please contact our office or call us at 855-554-6369.
