What's at stake if we're not a sanctuary city

Approximately 15% of Illinois budget is supplied by the federal government. That's in jeopardy if the state continues to defy Voldemort and keep sanctuary city status. The bankrupt state could be even more bankrupt.

The Dark Lord has shrewdly required any illegal awaiting trial for entering to register providing contact info...if/when they don't...ICE has the legal authority to deport them immediately.

Most minorities who elected the leadership in NYC, Chicago and LA are livid to watch public funds diverted for migrants that were previously earmarked for unprivileged legal residents. Trump is exploiting this to further gut the Dems.

What's at stake if we're not a sanctuary city

Axios News, Chicago

By Carrie Shepherd, Justin Kaufmann and Monica Eng · Mar 03, 2025

Dropping sanctuary rules in Chicago would trigger big changes, according to both supporters and opponents.

Why it matters: The city and state are facing intense scrutiny from the Trump administration and a federal lawsuit for our local policies.

The issue will be thrust into a national spotlight Wednesday when Mayor Brandon Johnson defends the policies before the U.S. House oversight committee, along with mayors from Denver, Boston and New York.

Defining terms: Chicago's Welcoming City ordinance and Illinois' TRUST Act generally:

• Prohibit local law enforcement from participating in federal immigration law, except when federal agents present a criminal warrant issued by a judge.

• Ensure that everyone, regardless of immigration status, can access city services including education, medical care and police protections.

These laws don't prohibit local law enforcement from arresting anyone suspected of violating state or local laws.

Sanctuary city supporters say removing protections would hurt the city, not just the individuals involved, because it would discourage local undocumented people from reporting crime and cooperating with police; going to school, work and doctors appointments; supporting businesses; and getting things like car insurance.

What they're saying: We'd likely see "emboldened ICE operations and explicit profiling, as well as increasing mistrust between immigrant communities and local police," Fred Tsao of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights tells Axios.

The other side: Republican Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison wants sanctuary policies dropped entirely.

It "would benefit public safety and encourage more individuals here illegally to return to their home countries and follow the legal process for citizenship," he tells Axios.

"I do not believe it would discourage victims from speaking with law enforcement, as protections exist to ensure victims and witnesses can safely report crimes. Additionally, reducing school overcrowding and the financial strain on taxpayers — who are already supporting critical services for our own citizens — is not a bad thing."

Go deeper

Share on Facebook Tweet this Story Post to LinkedIn Post to LinkedIn Email this Story

2. DHS registration order affects 400,000 Illinoisans

Last week, the Trump administration ordered all undocumented people in the U.S. to register with the Department of Homeland Security or face criminal penalties.

Why it matters: Illinois is home to an estimated 400,000 unauthorized immigrants whose presence here constitutes a civil, not criminal, violation. This order may force them to choose between criminal charges for not registering or registration followed by deportation.

What they're saying: DHS secretary Kristi Noem told Fox News last week that those who comply with the order "can avoid criminal charges and fines and we will help them relocate right back to their home country."

Between the lines: The order stands in contrast to border czar Tom Homan's plan for ICE to focus deportations on "the worst of the worst" rather than undocumented people with no criminal record.

Case in point: ICE officials have, so far, failed to show how many individuals they apprehended in Illinois during January raids had criminal records.

On Jan. 31, Axios filed an open records request to ICE seeking the names and criminal records of Illinois arrestees. The agency has yet to deliver the data.

State of play: Homan continues to threaten sanctuary cities, and last week Acero Charter Network officials reported that a parent was apprehended during school drop-off.

What we are watching: Whether Noem seeks to classify those who don't comply with the registration order as de facto criminals.