By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Both the executive and legislative branches of Illinois government have made attempts to address federal immigration enforcement in the state, but U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem says Gov. J.B. Pritzker does not recognize the importance of immigration enforcement.

Pritzker held a press conference in Springfield Thursday and told people not to believe Trump administration officials who say immigration enforcement agents are targeting “the worst of the worst.”

“Our Chicagoland neighborhoods are being bombarded with tear gas, invaded by unidentified masked men in unmarked vehicles, thugs who are intimidating workers and children and grandparents, most of whom are Black or brown, most of whom have committed no offense at all,” Pritzker said.

When asked if the chaos in the streets was due to state law preventing police from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement officers, the governor said, “that’s ridiculous,” and said local and state law enforcement could help if the feds have a judicial warrant.

“The way that [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] and [Customs and Border Patrol] are attempting to carry out the orders that they’re given from Kristi Noem, from [U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Commander] Gregory Bovino, frankly, appears to be against the law, against protocols, I’m giving you options to pick from,” Pritzker said.

The governor said he sent a letter to Noem, Acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Daniel Lyons and Border Patrol Commissioner Matthew Scott requesting that all federal enforcement operations be suspended from Friday, Oct. 31 through Sunday, Nov. 2, in and around homes, schools, hospitals, parks and community gatherings where Halloween celebrations are taking place.

Noem was asked about Pritzker’s request when she spoke at a press conference Thursday afternoon in Gary, Indiana.

“No, we’re absolutely not willing to put on pause any work that we will do to keep communities safe. The fact that Gov. Pritzker is asking for that is shameful,” the secretary said.

Noem said it’s unfortunate that Pritzker doesn’t recognize how important federal immigration enforcement work is.

“Especially when we’re going to send all our kiddos out on the streets and going to events and enjoying the holiday season, we want to make sure that they’re safe,” Noem said.

Noem pointed to pictures of individuals ICE officers arrested that were pedophiles and had committed assaults against children.

“Those individuals don’t deserve to be on our streets, and we’re certainly not going to let our children be victimized by them,” the secretary added.

Noem said federal officers were not arresting citizens and insisted that they are focused on arresting “the worst of the worst.” She said Operation Midway Blitz, launched by DHS Sept. 8, has resulted in the arrest of more than 3,000 illegal aliens, including rapists, murderers and gang members.

Noem said Indiana Gov. Mike Braun is working with her department to bring safety to U.S. roads as part of the Midway Blitz effort.

In the wake of several fatal crashes involving immigrant drivers across the country, Braun said Indiana State Police are collaborating with federal immigration enforcement officers.

“We are going to work with DHS. We’re gonna work with ICE to keep our communities and our highways safe, even though other places are making them the opposite,” Braun said.

Noem said her department is pushing states to stop issuing driver’s licenses to illegal aliens.

Late Thursday night, the Illinois General Assembly passed legislation aimed at enhancing the state’s migrant sanctuary policies.

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, said House Bill 1312 would prevent civil arrests prohibited at hospitals, courthouses, college campuses and daycare centers.

“They must also adopt policies to protect students and children in their care, including protection against disclosing an attendees’ real or perceived immigration status,” Welch said.

State Rep. John Cabello, R-Machesney Park, expressed concerns that the bill would end qualified immunity for police officers.

Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police Executive Director Kenny Winslow said the chiefs strongly opposed the bill as it was written.

“I haven’t received more phone calls and emails in the last 24 hours or more concerns or angst over a bill since the SAFE-T Act than I have over this bill here,” Winslow said.

In committee earlier, Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, said the legislation would create a private right of action for anyone whose constitutional rights are violated by people conducting immigration actions.

Harmon said the measure would allow people to pursue a remedy in court.

“Of course it will be challenged,” Harmon said.

The bill would create a private right of action for people to file lawsuits against schools of higher education for violations.

From 2022 to 2025, Harmon received $75,000 in campaign donations from the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association’s political-action committee.

Harmon left after making his statement and did not take questions from reporters.

State Sen. Celina Villanueva, D-Chicago, was asked if this type of bill might lead ICE to intensify enforcement, potentially leading to more chaos.

“I’m a brown woman from Little Village. I anticipate everything that they’re gonna do just because of the color of my skin and because of where my parents are born,” Villanueva said.

Later, on the Senate floor, state Sen. Li Arellano, R-Dixon, described various criminal activities by Mexican drug cartels and the importance of a legal immigration system.

“On average, over one policeman a day dies in Mexico,” Arellano said.

Arellano said the best path is to have coordination between local, state and federal law enforcement. He said Illinois chose another path.

In closing, Harmon implored his colleagues to pass HB 1312. The measure passed by a vote of 40-18.

If Pritzker signs HB 1312, it would take effect immediately.