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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE TO FILE 25-3451
PROPOSED RESOLUTION DENOUNCING THE TACTICS OF FEDERAL AGENTS INCLUDING U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT AGENTS
WHEREAS, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has more than 20,000 law enforcement officers in more than 400 offices in the United States and around the world, counts with an annual budget of $8 billion, and whose work is carried out by units such as Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO); and
WHEREAS, under the Trump Administration, ICE and other deputized agents assigned have increasingly used deceptive tactics and brutal force to separate and intimidate immigrant families and individuals, most of whom do not have a criminal record; and
WHEREAS, attorneys, nonprofit organizations, and media outlets have reported agents using deceitful practices to arrest and detain individuals without a warrant; and
WHEREAS, deceitful practices include the use of data brokers to access the personal data of thousands in Cook County, identifying real-time data on people’s whereabouts; and
WHEREAS, agents have arrested and detained U.S. citizens, and residents seeking legal status who are lawfully abiding by immigration procedures set forth by federal officials; and
WHEREAS, such arrests have occurred at immigration court hearings even after cases get dismissed upon ICE motions and at short-notice check-ins; and
WHEREAS, agents have also engaged in “collateral arrests” that include individuals with lawful work permits, student visas, legal permanent residency, and in some cases, tourists, reporters, and even U.S. citizens; and
WHEREAS, in their efforts to detain immigrants, ICE agents have engaged in physical altercations with peaceful protestors, many of whom are Cook County residents; and
WHEREAS, many ICE agents have resorted to using face coverings and refusing to provide identification while in their official capacity; and
WHEREAS, ICE agents have appeared in plain clothes and in unmarked cars without law enforcement insignia; and
WHEREAS, the use of plain clothes, unmarked cars, and lack of identification could lead to individuals impersonating ICE and federal authorities; and
WHEREAS, the tactics used by ICE agents are eroding public trust in local law enforcement and have undermined the safety and well-being of County residents; and
WHEREAS, Cook County is a Welcoming County and Fair and Equal County for Immigrants.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Commissioners of Cook County, on behalf of the 5.2 million residents of Cook County, denounce the increasingly deceptive and callous tactics of ICE agents at the behest of President Trump and call for strong congressional oversight; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that, the Board of Commissioners of Cook County requests official communication of interactions related to immigration enforcement that occur within County buildings, on County property, or with County staff from all Cook County agencies, departments, and bureaus.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and that an official copy of the same be tendered to Cook County agencies, bureaus and offices, and the Illinois Congressional delegation.
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