GOP rep, Dem alderman: Sanctuary policies drove immigration enforcement surge

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – A Republican state lawmaker and a Democratic Chicago alderman agree that sanctuary policies are the reason federal agencies have ramped up their presence in Illinois.

State Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer, R-Murrayville, said he is introducing House Bill 1317 to repeal the law which prohibits local enforcement from working with federal authorities to detain illegal immigrants.

“This law, the TRUST Act, is the reason why federal authorities have come to Illinois. It’s because Gov. [J.B.] Pritzker has made it illegal for our local law enforcement to enforce federal laws,” Davidsmeyer said. “The reality is that Gov. Pritzker is more concerned about building his progressive national image than he is about protecting Illinois families from murderers and rapists.”

Last January, Chicago Alderman Raymond Lopez and former state Rep. and current Alderman Silvana Tabares, D-Chicago, proposed an amendment to Chicago’s Welcoming City Ordinance. The measure would have allowed cooperation with federal immigration officers when people were arrested or convicted for gang crimes, drug crimes, prostitution-related activities such as human trafficking, or sex crimes involving minors.

The city council voted against the proposal. Lopez said Mayor Brandon Johnson and his supporters essentially told the federal government to work without cooperation.

“You challenged them to go do that, and yet you cry here and say we’re under attack, that we’re going to stand in solidarity. You should have thought about that eight months ago,” Lopez said.

Alderperson Jessica Fuentes interrupted Lopez’ speech to call him a hypocrite. Lopez responded by saying Fuentes was a hypocrite, because she came from Puerto Rico where she was guaranteed citizenship.

The council rejected Lopez’ request to censure Fuentes.

“You all, including yourself…” Lopez said to the mayor.

“Yes, direct it towards me,” Johnson said.

“You all brought this on the people of the city Chicago. As you sit here today and say, ‘We’re going to celebrate your heritage,’ you are the hypocrites. You are the liars. You are the ones who allowed this to happen in your communities, because you had the chance to protect people and said, ‘No,’” Lopez said.

Davidsmeyer said the Chicago mayor has shown nothing but contempt for law enforcement.

The Department of Homeland Security said federal agencies would continue to liberate Chicago from violent criminal illegal aliens.