Fight brews over Chicago's Welcoming City Ordinance amid Trump era fears
CHICAGO - As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office with promises of mass deportations, a proposal to amend Chicago’s Welcoming City Ordinance is reigniting debate over the city’s sanctuary status.
What We Know
Aldermen Ray Lopez (15th Ward) and Silvana Tabares (23rd Ward) are pushing for a vote on their measure, which would permit Chicago police to assist federal immigration agents in deporting undocumented individuals who have been arrested but not convicted of a crime. The current ordinance prohibits such cooperation.
The proposal has drawn sharp criticism. WTTW reports a memo from the mayor’s office cited constitutional concerns, noting potential violations of the due process protections in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments. Additionally, Illinois state law bars law enforcement from working with federal immigration agents in this way.
Activists like Frank Chapman of the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression vowed to fight the proposal, asserting that it undermines Chicago’s sanctuary city status.
"We’re not gonna allow Trump, ICE, or anybody else...to change that," Chapman said.
What We Don’t Know
It remains unclear whether the measure will gain enough support to pass in the city council. Critics doubt it has the votes needed, but the outcome is uncertain.
Additionally, while the proposal’s backers claim it targets individuals with criminal records, its broader implications on Chicago’s immigrant community and public safety remain a point of contention.
The Backstory
Chicago established itself as a sanctuary city in 1985 under Mayor Harold Washington, who issued the first executive order protecting immigrants. Congressman Jesús "Chuy" García, who worked in Washington’s administration and later strengthened protections during his time as a Cook County commissioner, has spoken out against the current proposal.
In a statement, García called the push to amend the ordinance an attempt to undermine "hard-fought protections," warning that it could lead to racial profiling, family separations, and civil rights violations.
What’s Next
The city council is expected to vote on the measure on Wednesday.