CHICAGO (CBS) — City leaders and immigration advocates rallied Monday against a proposal that would change the rules of Chicago’s sanctuary city.
The change to the Welcoming City Ordinance would allow Chicago police to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement when they have arrested an undocumented immigrant for certain crimes.
That includes everything from selling drugs and prostitution to loitering.
Chicago aldermen and opponents representing several Chicago activists and community groups gathered at City Hall on Monday to protest the amendment.
They say this could pose significant legal risks in the city.
“This amendment to the Welcoming City Ordinance will reopen the city’s risk of serious financial liability due to the systematic violations of the Fourth Amendment in ICE’s detention practice,” said Mark Fleming of the National Immigrant Justice Center. “This past year, New York City had to agree to pay $92.5 million for unlawfully moving people under the 4th Amendment over ICE detainees.”
Ald. Ray Lopez (15th), who endorsed the plan for changes to the ordinance, said helping the Trump administration catch criminals will protect law-abiding immigrants from mass deportation.
The proposal will be voted on on Wednesday.
