The mayor of North Chicago signed a “landmark” order banning federal immigration agents from using city-owned property, as he denounces immigration enforcement operations for causing fear.
North Chicago Mayor Leon Rockingham Jr. signed an executive order at City Hall on Monday evening addressing federal immigration enforcement within the city.
He was joined by North Chicago City Council members, Congressman Brad Schneider, State Senator Adriane Johnson, Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart and other community leaders.
The “landmark directive” aims to clarify the city’s role in federal immigration matters, ensuring the protection of residents’ rights while maintaining compliance with laws, city officials said.
The executive order reflects the city’s commitment to “fostering trust between local government and immigrant communities.”
Rockingham said that the executive order is not just a policy document but is a statement of values.
“We value justice, freedom, and community. We value every North Chicago citizen, and this executive order is an important step in support of justice and freedom for everyone. We embrace and celebrate our diversity, and North Chicago citizens should be able to live in freedom and safety,” he said.
City officials say the executive order addresses concerns regarding the intersection of local governance and federal immigration enforcement.
“By defining the city’s stance, the order aims to promote public safety, protect civil liberties, and ensure that all residents feel secure accessing city services without fear of discrimination or reprisal,” the city said.
The Chicagoland area, including Lake County — especially Waukegan and North Chicago, has seen a surge of federal immigration enforcement operations with arrests happening daily.
The executive order says that civil immigration enforcement activities have “historically undermined community trust, spread fear, and created barriers” to accessing essential city services.
Federal agents have used public school parking lots and city-owned parking lots, among other locations, as staging sites for immigration enforcement operations, the order said.
“North Chicago has long recognized that public safety is best achieved through trust and collaboration between residents and local government, not through the militarization or deputization of city resources in service of civil immigration enforcement,” the Rockingham said.
The order mandates that no city department or employee should inquire or disclose a person’s immigration status unless required by law and all residents of the city should have equal access to city services and benefits, including police protection.
City resources, including personnel, funds and facilities, will not be used to assist federal immigration enforcement activities unless mandated by federal or state law, the order said.
That includes city-owned and controlled parking lots, vacant lots and garages being used as a staging area, processing location or operations base for civil immigration enforcement.
City departments have been directed to have clear signage posted at the locations stating, “This property is owned and controlled by the City of North Chicago. It may not be used for civil immigration enforcement as: Staging Area, Processing Location, or Operations Base.”
Rockingham’s order also says that the city should direct immigrant residents to legal resources, community education and support.
The city will also partner with local organizations to create “safe spaces” for immigrants to report crimes, access services and seek assistance without fear of deportation.