ICE says Chicago arrests had final orders of removal; Illinois officials
cry foul
[June 06, 2025]
By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – Despite criticism from state and local politicians
about immigrant detentions in Chicago, U.S. Immigration and Customs
Enforcement officials say people detained Wednesday outside a Homeland
Security office on the city’s Near South Side had final orders of
removal by a judge.
An ICE spokesperson provided The Center Square with a statement
Thursday.
“Those arrested had executable final orders of removal by an immigration
judge and had not complied with that order,” the spokesperson said.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker was asked about the detentions Thursday at an
unrelated event in West Chicago. The governor criticized the feds and
President Donald Trump.
“Look, from the beginning of this administration there have been
inappropriate and sometimes, I would argue, illegal moves on the part of
ICE. It’s important to me that they follow the law, the federal law,”
Pritzker said.
The governor was asked if Chicago police officers violated state law by
assisting ICE agents.
"Let's be clear. Chicago police followed the law. Whenever ICE is
engaged in raids like this, if there's a situation where there is a
court-ordered warrant for someone's arrest, it is absolutely appropriate
for police to be engaged," Pritzker said.
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Mayor Brandon Johnson spoke Thursday at the National Immigrant Heritage
Month reception in downtown Chicago.
“We saw armed, masked men walk down our streets in broad daylight, and
they kidnapped mothers and fathers. We saw them brutalize protesters and
shove crying grandmothers into the backs of unmarked vans,” Johnson
said.
Johnson said ICE used deceptive practices to arrest people outside a
Homeland Security office.
“You have the president of the United States setting human traps. It is
sickening and unconscionable,” Johnson said.
Illinois U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Chicago, reiterated her call for
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s resignation.
“Your actions undermine the rule of law and violate the very basic
promises we made to people that if you comply with our process, you can
have your day in court and your case heard in front of a judge. By
arresting, detaining and subjecting to expedited removal people who are
actively complying with the terms of their release, you are violating
that promise and sending the message that compliance does not matter,”
Ramirez said in a letter to Noem and ICE acting director Todd Lyons.
Supporters of Trump's and Noem's deportation efforts say it's improving
public safety and note that the president is doing what voters elected
him to do last year. |
