Chicago's Mayor Brandon Johnson has signed an executive order directing his city police department to investigate alleged abuses by federal immigration agents, potentially paving the way for felony prosecution. The directive, dubbed "Ice on Notice," instructs CPD to document all instances of federal activity, including those captured on body-worn cameras, and identify supervisors who may be facilitating potential wrongdoing.
The aim is to prevent federal agents from crossing into criminal behavior, a concern that has been raised in recent cases involving Chicago residents. Johnson's order also calls for reports to be filed with the Cook County state's attorney's office on any suspected violations by federal agents, with a view to pursuing prosecution.
According to officials, the CPD will publish aggregated data on documented legal violations, making Chicago the first city in the US to use local authority to pursue accountability for misconduct by federal immigration agents. Mayor Johnson described this as a necessary step, citing concerns over trust in law enforcement and the need to ensure that rogue actors are held accountable.
The move comes amid growing tensions over immigration enforcement, particularly in light of recent fatal shootings involving federal agents. The case of Alex Pretti, an unarmed nurse shot dead by ICE agents during a traffic stop last weekend, has sparked widespread outrage. Other videos have also highlighted instances of federal agents engaging in questionable behavior, including the shoving of activists.
The Illinois Accountability Commission, set up by Governor JB Pritzker, is collecting video evidence and testimony from residents about alleged federal abuses. Meanwhile, former Mayor Lori Lightfoot is leading a separate effort to document federal misconduct.
Overall, the "Ice on Notice" directive represents a significant escalation in the push for accountability from local authorities against federal immigration agents. As the CPD prepares to issue guidance on implementing this order within 30 days, it remains to be seen how effectively it will address the concerns of Chicago's residents and prevent further abuses by federal agencies.
The aim is to prevent federal agents from crossing into criminal behavior, a concern that has been raised in recent cases involving Chicago residents. Johnson's order also calls for reports to be filed with the Cook County state's attorney's office on any suspected violations by federal agents, with a view to pursuing prosecution.
According to officials, the CPD will publish aggregated data on documented legal violations, making Chicago the first city in the US to use local authority to pursue accountability for misconduct by federal immigration agents. Mayor Johnson described this as a necessary step, citing concerns over trust in law enforcement and the need to ensure that rogue actors are held accountable.
The move comes amid growing tensions over immigration enforcement, particularly in light of recent fatal shootings involving federal agents. The case of Alex Pretti, an unarmed nurse shot dead by ICE agents during a traffic stop last weekend, has sparked widespread outrage. Other videos have also highlighted instances of federal agents engaging in questionable behavior, including the shoving of activists.
The Illinois Accountability Commission, set up by Governor JB Pritzker, is collecting video evidence and testimony from residents about alleged federal abuses. Meanwhile, former Mayor Lori Lightfoot is leading a separate effort to document federal misconduct.
Overall, the "Ice on Notice" directive represents a significant escalation in the push for accountability from local authorities against federal immigration agents. As the CPD prepares to issue guidance on implementing this order within 30 days, it remains to be seen how effectively it will address the concerns of Chicago's residents and prevent further abuses by federal agencies.