Chicago officials are advocating for new measures requiring federal immigration agents to clearly identify themselves while on duty in Illinois.
A proposed resolution from the City Council calls for ICE officers engaged in civil enforcement to wear visible name tags and avoid wearing ski masks.
Alderman Michael Rodriguez of the 22nd Ward and Alderman Andre Vasquez of the 40th Ward spearheaded the initiative, which has garnered support from 18 additional Council members and Mayor Brandon Johnson.
The resolution is currently in the Rules Committee, where it will be evaluated before potentially proceeding to a Council vote.
This initiative comes in response to multiple incidents where ICE agents have reportedly entered local Chicago neighborhoods in casual attire and masks, detaining residents without visibly showing their badges or identification.
Chicago’s city leaders, along with various neighborhood groups, have expressed concerns that such practices instill fear and uncertainty among residents, highlighting the need for rights and transparency.
“Every person on our sidewalks deserves to feel secure, and seeing shadowy masked agents grab neighbors is simply intolerable,” Ald. Rodriguez stated during a recent meeting of the council.
The proposed legislation aims to align Illinois with similar efforts emerging across the nation, including New York’s MELT Act and the No Secret Police Act that has been introduced in Congress.
Attorney General Kwame Raoul has joined a coalition of 21 states that is appealing to Congress for stricter ID requirements for federal agents involved in civil enforcement.
In a joint letter, the coalition emphasizes that concealed identities can undermine public trust and create opportunities for abuse.
On the local level, Ald. Vasquez has filed a formal request for records of communications between City Hall and ICE, aiming to determine if there is a collaboration between local and federal enforcement during these operations.
While ICE has stated that mask usage is intended to protect officers from potential harassment and doxxing, Acting Director Todd Lyons has acknowledged the agency’s awareness of public concerns regarding this policy.
Despite those concerns, ICE has yet to release any updated guidelines regarding the display of uniforms or visible identification, and current Illinois statutes do not mandate that federal officers show clear ID during civil immigration enforcement.
Although Chicago’s resolution is non-binding, it marks the city’s position among a growing number of municipalities that want local oversight of federal law enforcement actions.
The resolution is intended to formally urge the Illinois General Assembly to create a supplementary statute aligned with the city’s objectives.
Proponents argue that such legislation could alleviate fears within communities, enhance public safety, and promote the transparency expected from all law enforcement agencies.
While it remains uncertain whether the Assembly will act on this request, discussions are gaining momentum at both state and federal levels.
The federal directives concerning how immigration officers operate during civil enforcement remain ambiguous, and city leaders argue that requiring agents to display identification is a fundamental step towards improved transparency and accountability.
As debates unfold in Springfield and Washington, Chicago is focused on ensuring that every enforcement interaction on its streets is visible, understandable, and subject to scrutiny when necessary.
image source from：chicagodefender
