The Chicago City Council descended into civil war Wednesday after Democratic members voted against two of their colleagues' proposals to repeal the city's sanctuary law.
Democratic City Councilors Raymond López and Silvana Tavares proposed Chicago Welcoming City, which would allow Chicago police to cooperate with federal immigration authorities when undocumented immigrants are arrested or convicted of certain crimes. A proposed amendment to the ordinance was submitted.
“They profit from fear.”
Under the current ordinance, city employees are prohibited from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in any enforcement situation.
The proposal would give local authorities the power to cooperate with ICE when an illegal alien is arrested or convicted of a sex crime involving a minor, gang, drug or prostitution-related activity.
The cutouts mentioned above, proposed by City Council members, were previously removed under former Mayor Lori Lightfoot (D).
Wednesday's city council meeting It was filled with residents who gathered to show their support for both sides of the issue.
During the meeting's raucous public comment period, a man who described himself as a “Chicago conservative” said he supported eliminating sanctuary protections for illegal aliens.
During the previous speaker's comments and while the Chicago Conservative walked to the microphone, Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) could be seen leaving his seat and digressing.
“Good morning, Brandon Johnson,” the Chicago Conservative said. “Start with this question: Who are you more loyal to, the American people here in Chicago or the illegal immigrants here in Chicago?”
His comments drew boos and jeers from some residents in the chamber.
“The sanctuary laws that Brandon Johnson has allowed have attracted criminals, drug dealers, and terrorists. We now have terrorists in our cities, including those here at City Hall as we speak. ” the Chicago Conservative continued.
Mr. Johnson returned to his seat to restore order to the chamber after dealing with a disturbance in the audience, pausing the Chicago Conservatives' speech to warn the disruptors.
The Chicago Conservative added: “Democrats cannot save us. Only God can save us.”
During the meeting, the City Council voted 39-11 to reject the proposal from Democratic aldermen.
Mr. Lopez and Mr. Tavares may have an opportunity to pass the proposal at a future meeting. But approval would require 34 votes, and Johnson, who has been a strong supporter of the city's sanctuary status, is certain to veto it.
Johnson praised the City Council for rejecting the amendment.
“Our job is to make sure people are protected and safe. That's the number one priority for any government and that's what we're going to do,” Johnson said. “As threats from the next administration threaten to permeate the city, Chicagoans can rest assured that the full power of government is doing everything in their power to protect them.” ”
Tavares answered “Immigration advocates don't want to solve the problem,” he said in response to the vote.
“That fuels their storytelling and fundraising abilities, so they profit from fear,” she added.
Lopez claimed that “all this is just political theater so they can set up a boogeyman to point to for the next four years.”
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