Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has directed the city’s police department to not participate in a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement roundup of migrant families who have been handed deportation orders slated to begin this Sunday.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a statement that the city has taken steps to support immigrants families, and that ICE agents would get no assistance from the city.
“I reiterated that CPD will not cooperate with or facilitate any ICE enforcement,” said the first-term mayor. “I have directed – and Superintendent [Eddie] Johnson has confirmed – that CPD has terminated ICE’s access to CPD’s databases related to federal immigration enforcement activities.”
Meanwhile, Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser said her city “remains a proud sanctuary city, and we are committed to protecting the rights of all our immigrant families in the face of these disturbing threats.”
Past raids have seen significant opposition from California, and the upcoming roundups are facing similar resistance from the blue state. Gov. Gavin Newsom called the impending removals “cruel.”
“I want Californians to know they have legal rights and protections, regardless of their immigration status,” said Newsom. “California is a place of refuge – that includes our schools, our courts and our hospitals and clinics. We hold certain institutions sacred and people should continue to access programs and services they need.”
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti also said his city and local law enforcement wouldn’t participate in the operation.
“Los Angeles will always stand with our immigrant brothers and sisters, and our law enforcement officers will never participate in these actions,” Garcetti said in a statement. “No Angeleno should ever have to fear being snatched from their home or separated from their loved ones — and we are doing everything we can to provide immigrant families with the information and support they need.”
Trump dismissed the opposition on Saturday, saying they were mostly “high crime” cities.
“Well some cities are going to fight it. But if you notice they’re generally high crime cities, if you look at Chicago they’re fighting it. If you look at other cities they’re fighting it. Many of those cities are high crime cities and they’re sanctuary cities,” he said.
THREAD 1/ We are all aware of the threat from President Trump regarding raids by ICE, and in response, Chicago has taken concrete steps to support our immigrant communities.
— Mayor Lori Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) June 21, 2019
2/ I have directed – and Superintendent Johnson has confirmed – that CPD has terminated ICE's access to CPD's databases related to federal immigration enforcement activities.
— Mayor Lori Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) June 21, 2019
3/ I have also personally spoken with ICE leadership in Chicago and voiced my strong objection to any such raids. Further, I reiterated that CPD will not cooperate with or facilitate any ICE enforcement actions.
— Mayor Lori Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) June 21, 2019
4/ Chicago will always be a welcoming city and a champion for the rights of our immigrant and refugee communities, and I encourage any resident in need of legal aid to contact the National Immigrant Justice Center (@NIJC). More info here: https://t.co/NTMAmhmBbn
— Mayor Lori Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) June 21, 2019
Source: Fox News
