ICE โคArrests at Illinois โcourthouses Restricted by Judge‘s Order
CHICAGO – A recent order from a Cook County judge restricts Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from making arrests at Illinois courthouses, a move lauded by state officials concerned about chilling effects on the justice system. the order aims toโข ensure courthouses remain “safe spaces” where individuals can fulfill legal obligations without fear of immigration enforcement.
The restrictions follow growing concernsโค over ICE’s increased presence around โcourthouses and reports of agents arresting individuals with pending court dates. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has publicly โขdenounced ICE’s tactics, stating,โ “People are afraid to go to court. They’re afraid to comply with subpoenas. We can’t allow that. Theseโค should be safe spaces.”
The judge’s โคorder builds on a previous federal ruling last week that prohibitedโ ICE from using tear โgas, pepper spray, and other weapons against journalists and peaceful protesters following a lawsuit filedโ byโ news outlets and protest groups over actions taken during demonstrations outside a Chicago-area ICE facility. Pritzker indicated he expects attorneys to pursue furtherโ enforcement of that ruling.
Concerns over ICE activity haveโค spurred community organizing in Chicago,with neighborhood groups monitoring ICE operations and documentingโ incidents. Recent efforts includeโ “Whistlemania” events where residents assembled “whistle kits” containing whistles and “Know Your Rights” facts to alertโข communitiesโ to potential ICE enforcement. GoFundMe campaigns have also been established to cover legal fees for individuals detained by ICE, including a recently detained landscaper and fatherโ of three.
Pritzker has directly criticized ICE, stating, “ICE is causing this โmayhem.They’re the ones throwing tear gas when people are peacefully protesting,”โข referencing incidents following a high-speed chase on Chicago’s South Side where Border Patrol agents deployed โขtear gas on gathered protesters.
