Chicago official criticizes Brandon Johnson’s new ICE directives: ‘Who is the mayor trying to protect?’

Chicago officials criticized Mayor Brandon Johnson for issuing new guidelines to deal with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump.

Johnson on Friday issued guidelines on how to handle ICE visits downtown, while reaffirming his administration’s “commitment to the city’s welcome law.”

In response to the change in state management, the mayor’s office confirmed that the city will continue to comply with the Illinois Trust Act of 2017, which prohibits local law enforcement from participating in state immigration enforcement.

If ICE enters a city area, Johnson’s guidelines advise, “Contact your agency or the department’s designated attorney or general counsel for additional guidance. Contact the chief executive officer or designated manager in the area and take no action until that person arrives.”

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The guidance says to seek copies of the warrants, not allow ICE to enter “any secret or ‘sensitive’ areas,” but not to interfere with any search, even if it is denied. There are other recommendations, including taking notes and keeping timely written records.

“The Mayor and General Counsel are communicating with department heads about guidelines to ensure Chicago remains a welcoming city for all its citizens,” the mayor’s office said.

But, Alderman Ray Lopez of the 15th Ward criticized Johnson’s efforts, via FOX 32 Chicago.

“I’m actually surprised that the mayor is making this incredible effort to try to stop what Ald. Tabares and I want to do, which is to remove a small number of people who choose to commit crimes in the City of Chicago,” Lopez said.

He went on to say,

Lopez’s comments come after he and fellow 23rd Ward Alderman Silvana Tabares proposed an amendment to the Welcoming City Ordinance. According to FOX 32, their legislation would allow local agencies to work with ICE to target undocumented individuals “arrested, or convicted of certain crimes.”

“The story being told by the mayor and his allies is that we’re trying to get everyone out – that’s not the case,” Lopez said.

He noted that the arrest must be from “One of four categories of crimes: Gang-related activities, drug-related activities, prostitution and human trafficking, or sex crimes involving minors.”

The ordinance is expected to be voted on at a city council meeting on Wednesday.

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Many Chicago residents have been complaining about the resettlement of immigrants in their neighborhoods since the beginning of the year. (Screenshot/Fox 32 Chicago)

Lopez further explained that the Trump administration will focus on undocumented immigrants and those with Temporary Protected Status who have criminal backgrounds and are “dangerous.”

“We see Congress moving in that direction, in a united way. Why don’t we try to join them in this effort? It begs the question, who is the mayor trying to protect and why is he so bent on protecting criminals here in the City of Chicago,” he said.

Trump’s choice of borderTom Homan, has pledged to go after Chicago with enforcement as he criticizes Illinois political leaders.

Newly arrived immigrants live in houses and floors of a city-run shelter at O’Hare International Airport on Aug. 31, 2023. ((Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images))

Speaking at a GOP holiday event last month, Homan detailed his plan, vowing to ensure the status of asylum seekers and arrest anyone who provides shelter to illegal immigrants.

In addition, Homan warned that Johnson would be prosecuted if he interfered ICE’s mass deportation efforts.

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Chicago officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.