Noem refuses Pritzker enforcement pause request, IL pass sanctuary
enhancement
[October 31, 2025]
By Jim Talamonti | 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.
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“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.
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