Chicago City Council Rejects Proposal to Allow Police Cooperation with ICE

The council voted 39-11 against amending the city's sanctuary policies to permit limited collaboration with federal immigration enforcement for certain criminal cases.

The proposed amendment sought to allow Chicago police to assist ICE in cases involving arrests or convictions for gang activity, drug offenses, prostitution, or sex crimes involving minors.
Chicago’s Welcoming City Ordinance and Illinois state law currently prohibit local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement, except in limited circumstances.
Opponents of the proposal, including activists and city officials, argued that maintaining sanctuary policies protects immigrant communities and aligns with Chicago’s values.
Proponents of the amendment, led by Ald. Raymond Lopez and Silvana Tabares, argued that limited cooperation with ICE would enhance public safety by targeting non-citizens involved in serious crimes.
The vote comes as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, with plans for aggressive immigration enforcement and mass deportations.