Chicago Suspends ID Program for Undocumented Immigrants
Chicago, governed by the Democratic Party of Illinois, has temporarily halted a website that facilitated the issuance of local government IDs for individuals, regardless of their immigration status. This decision came after the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) issued a request for information regarding applicants.
In June 2024, it was reported that illegal immigrants in Illinois were permitted to apply for driver’s licenses.
According to reports, City Clerk Anna Valencia announced the suspension of the CityKey ID application website after being contacted by ICE, which sought details about the applicants.
The CityKey IDs are accessible to all Chicago residents, regardless of immigration status, gender identity, or criminal background. Valencia’s choice to pause the online portal emerged after ICE demanded information that included non-citizens.
Valencia expressed her intention, alongside other city officials, to resist providing this data to the federal government, characterizing the request as an attempt to instill fear. She remarked, “This is trying to instill fear in people so that Trump is witch hunting and can overtake our democracy.”
Recently, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson encouraged residents to actively oppose the enforcement of federal immigration laws. This coincided with upcoming anti-Trump protests observed nationwide, branded as “no king” events.
Interestingly, despite opposition, a survey conducted by Economist/YouGov revealed that around 45% of Americans hold a favorable view of ICE.
Amid ongoing tensions, the Department of Homeland Security released information about some illegal immigrants detained during operations in Los Angeles, revealing their criminal histories. One example is Eswin Uriel Castro, an illegal immigrant previously deported, who has been convicted of “child abuse and possessing dangerous weapons.”
Further criminal records include serious offenses such as child cruelty, attempted rape, theft, and illegal possession of weapons.
City officials mentioned that they see no obligation to comply with the ICE subpoena. However, the entire situation could shift dramatically if ICE secures a court order.
