Chicago Bans Construction of Border Control Checkpoints in City Parks
CHICAGO, IL – October 6, 2025 – The Chicago City Council โขvoted unanimously today too prohibit the construction of border controlโ checkpoints or similar facilities within the city’s โparks, responding to concerns raised by community activists and legal experts regarding potential overreach by federal immigrationโ enforcement. The ordinance, passed during a special session, effectively blocks any attempts by agenciesโค like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to establish operational bases โwithin Chicago’s green spaces.
The move comes amid heightened national debate over immigration policy and increasing scrutiny of tactics employed by federal authorities. While no โฃspecific proposalโค to build checkpoints in Chicago parks had beenโ formally presented, the ordinance proactively addresses fears fueled by recent reports of ICE expanding its โsurveillance andโ enforcement activities, including the use of mobile โคtechnology to track individuals. Advocates argue that establishing โcheckpoints in parks would erode public trust, disproportionately impact immigrant communities, and transform recreational spaces into zones of fear.
The ordinance โคspecifically prohibits “any structure or facility intended โคfor the primary purpose of immigration enforcement,including but not limited to checkpoints,detention areas,or surveillance posts,” within Chicago’s park system. Violators face fines and potential legalโ action from the city.
“Our parks areโ forโ everyone – children playing,families gathering,neighborsโ connecting,” saeid alderwoman Maria โฃRodriguez,the ordinance’s lead sponsor,in a statement following the vote. “They should be safe havens, โขnot sites of intimidation or enforcement. This ordinance sends โa clear message that Chicago stands โคwith our immigrant communities and will protect thier right toโข enjoy our public spaces without fear.”
The city’s legal department confirmed the ordinance is designed to withstand potentialโ legal challenges, citing the city’sโ authority to regulate land use within its parks. Similar measures have been considered in other cities with โlarge immigrant populations,โ reflecting aโ growing trend of local resistance to federal immigration โpolicies.โข The โฃordinance is effective instantly.