Chicago Mayor Unveils Snow Plow Named “Abolish ICE”

On Wednesday, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson introduced a snow plow named “Abolish ICE,” a decision meant to challenge the Trump administration’s immigration policies. This announcement follows the tragic death of a local college student, allegedly killed by someone deemed to be in the U.S. illegally.

The name was selected from a remarkable 13,000 submissions in the city’s “You Name a Plow” contest.

Standing before a large salt dome, Johnson remarked, “This name is rooted in our city’s commitment to justice and the dignity of all, regardless of their origins. I want to emphasize that Chicago does not support ICE’s presence on our streets or in our airports. Chicago supports abolishing ICE.”

The phrase “Abolish ICE” resonates with progressive groups opposed to the enforcement actions of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Johnson has criticized the use of ICE in the past and particularly disapproved of recent actions taken at airports, including Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, where ICE agents were deployed to assist the TSA.

This reveal comes shortly after the murder of Loyola University student Sheridan Gorman, allegedly at the hands of a Venezuelan immigrant. Jose Medina, the 25-year-old suspect, was captured by Border Patrol on May 9, 2023, and subsequently released under the Biden administration’s policies.

When asked whether the event should have been postponed due to Gorman’s murder, Johnson stated, “This is a terrible tragedy. Yet, this won’t stop us; instead, it compels us to intensify our efforts to protect everyone in our communities.”

Chicago Alderman Raymond Lopez, who has been critical of the city’s sanctuary policies, labeled Gorman’s death as “100% preventable.” He asserted that the city’s choices to safeguard noncitizens involved in criminal activities must shift, stating, “That mentality needs to shift because the victims, like Sheridan, deserve recognition through legal and mindset changes.”