No illegal immigrants who have committed crimes have been turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) due to Democratic Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s (Lightfoot) sanctuary city policy.
Three ICE detainers were made to the Chicago Police Department in Q3 2022 seeking the custody of criminal illegal aliens. Still, we could not find any evidence that any of these requests were honored. Under the Biden administration, it has been more challenging for ICE personnel to issue detainers. It’s possible that thousands of illegal immigrants evaded capture in Chicago during that period.
Due to Lightfoot’s persistent sanctuary city position, Chicago officials have refused to comply with ICE detainers.
When Lightfoot signed the legislation into law in February 2021, it made it against the law for local police to work with ICE on any case involving an apprehended illegal alien. This is the case regardless of whether or not the person is included in a gang database, has a criminal record, is currently facing criminal charges, or has outstanding warrants.
Lightfoot’s extension of a law passed under former Democratic mayor Rahm Emanuel that forbids officers from questioning anybody about their immigration status is a direct result of Emanuel’s tenure.
Later in 2016, Emanuel changed his sanctuary city policy to require “respect and dignity” for all immigrants, legal and otherwise.