Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order Monday titled “Ice Free Zone,” effectively banning US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from using city property while conducting operations. The aim of this order is to create “clear mechanisms to prohibit federal immigration agents from using any City-owned property in their ongoing operations in Chicago.”
“We will not tolerate ICE agents violating our residents’ constitutional rights nor will we allow the federal government to disregard our local authority,” Johnson stated. “ICE agents are detaining elected officials, tear-gassing protestors, children, and Chicago police officers, and abusing Chicago residents. We will not stand for that in our city. With this Executive Order, Chicago stands firm in protecting the Constitutional rights of our residents and immigrant communities and upholding our democracy.”
The order also establishes the following language to appear on city signage, issuing a series of warnings as to what ICE may not do on exclusive Chicago property:
“This property is owned and/or controlled by the City of Chicago.
It may not be used for civil immigration enforcement, including as a:
Staging area
Processing location
Operations base.”
The order, part of the mayor’s “Protecting Chicago” initiative, further establishes that city employees report to the mayor any ICE and similar federal officers in violation of its provisions.
On September 8, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) commenced Operation Midway Blitz. This operation is targeting illegal immigration in Chicago and nearby areas in honor of Katie Abraham, a woman killed by a drunk driver residing in the US illegally. On October 3, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced the success of the operation so far.
“DHS law enforcement has made more than 1,000 arrests across Illinois including of pedophiles, child abusers, kidnappers, gang members, and armed robbers. Our patriotic law enforcement officers are making these arrests despite working without pay because of the Democrats’ shutdown,” Noem stated.
To make Chicagoans aware of how to deal with federal officers in light of Johnson’s order, the city “will distribute ‘Know Your Rights’ materials that explain the rights of employees, tenants, and security staff when approached by federal agents seeking access to a property.”
This order notably comes after the deployment of National Guard troops to several US cities to support federal law enforcement amid ICE efforts and corresponding riots, and the president’s expressed desire to send troops to Chicago for the same purpose.
The White House Rapid Response account posted on X a response to Johnson’s order, calling the mayor an aid and abettor of crime stemming from illegal immigration.
