In brief
On Tuesday, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker enacted a law that forbids federal officials from enforcing immigration laws in sensitive locations such as courthouses, hospitals, college campuses, and day care facilities. This decision comes in response to heightened immigration enforcement actions by the Trump administration. The law also allows for legal remedies for individuals whose rights are violated during such actions, including compensation for unlawful arrests. Pritzker emphasized the importance of ensuring that everyday activities remain unaffected by fear of immigration enforcement.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday signed a law prohibiting federal officials from taking enforcement actions against immigrants near courthouses, in hospitals, on college campuses, or in day care facilities. The law, which takes effect immediately, is a direct response to the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration in the Chicago area that began in September. This new legislation also enables legal actions for individuals whose constitutional rights were violated during enforcement actions, including a provision for $10,000 in damages for those unlawfully arrested while attending court proceedings. “Dropping your kid off at day care, going to the doctor, or attending your classes should not be a life-altering task,” Pritzker stated during the bill-signing event in a predominantly Latino neighborhood in Chicago. “Illinois — in the face of cruelty and intimidation — has chosen solidarity and support.” The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s “Operation Midway Blitz” has resulted in over 3,000 arrests.
