Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) launched a “Know Your Rights” campaign Thursday to inform city residents of their legal protections against actions by the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The campaign follows a viral video released last week in which Johnson defended asylum seekers and immigrants against allegedly racist federal enforcement practices. At the Martin Luther King Interfaith Breakfast, the mayor drew a comparison between the treatment of Ukrainian immigrants and immigrants of color, reaffirming his commitment to protect all incoming migrants.
With English, French and Spanish guidelines, the campaign reaffirms Chicago’s commitment to its sanctuary city status. Over 400 ads will be displayed across the CTA system and campaign organizers will host multiple Q & A events around the city. It also includes a special order preparing city police to respond to ICE requests.
Since coming into office, President Donald Trump has signed a slew of executive orders, among which was a reinstatement of his hardline immigration policy. Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker denounced Trump’s immigration stance in a Thursday press briefing:
We are going to protect the residents and the people of the city of Chicago…We have given very clear instructions to our sister agencies and all our city departments that they are expected to uphold our “Welcoming City” ordinance…We are not going to interfere, but we are certainly not going to cooperate with that type of abhorrent behavior.
Johnson’s campaign reflects rising tensions between state and federal immigration enforcement following Trump’s arrival in office. The DOJ released a memo Tuesday that threatens potential legal action against state and local “actors” who fail to comply with federal immigration initiatives, suggesting sanctuary city policies are unconstitutional. Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove claimed that:
The Supremacy Clause and other authorities require state and local actors to comply with the executive branch’s immigration enforcement initiatives. Federal law prohibits state and local actors from resisting, obstructing, and otherwise failing to comply with lawful immigration related commands…
However, many have pointed out that the Supremacy Clause does not prohibit states or municipalities from refusing to comply with DOJ immigration policy or requests. Congressman Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, stated in a press release that the memo is “plainly wrong” and an attempt by the administration to “boss around” local officials. He added that the Tenth Amendment “preserves state and local officials’ decision-making authority”.
The DOJ’s hardline policy puts laws like Illinois’ Trust Act at the heart of the immigration debate. The Act generally prohibits local law enforcement from complying with warrantless federal immigration investigations or detaining individuals based solely on ICE requests.
Other states have passed similar legislation, including Colorado and Ohio. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston recently said the city would sue the Trump administration if ICE agents detain Denver residents in sensitive locations. Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther said in a viral statement “we elect Presidents, not Kings.”
