Retired Officer Criticizes Chicago Mayor’s Stance on ICE

A retired police officer from the Chicago area has voiced his concerns regarding Mayor Brandon Johnson’s decision to refuse collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“This is the situation in Chicago and, honestly, in Illinois overall. The mayor has directed officers not to engage with ICE. He has even publicly stated that the Chicago police don’t support ICE, even when it might be constitutionally necessary,” he expressed.

Weitzel, who served as police chief in a suburb of Chicago from January 2008 until May 2021, highlighted that in July, Mayor Johnson affirmed that police in the city would “not cooperate with ICE.” He also characterized the actions of ICE as “terrorism” and described the previous administration’s ethos as reminiscent of a victorious Confederacy.

“He approached the city’s legal team and briefly shared his stance with the Chicago PD, resulting in officers being instructed not to assist,” Weitzel remarked. “What’s worrisome is the blanket refusal to help, even when ICE may be under attack or facing threats. The mayor’s directive is clear: no cooperation.”

The retired chief believes that the morale within law enforcement is suffering. “Morale is incredibly low, especially with ongoing media scrutiny,” he said. “Here you have a mayor who oversees the entire city’s government, yet he’s openly against the police. It’s quite troubling. The mayor seems to be as anti-establishment as one can get.”

Since August 31, 2022, Chicago has welcomed over 51,000 illegal immigrants from the southern border.

“Having dedicated 37 years to law enforcement, starting as a patrol officer with the Chicago Zoological Park Police Department, I’ve seen a range of roles in the field,” Weitzel noted.

“By undermining ICE agents and federal personnel, he indirectly places local officers at risk. There have been instances where ICE convoys were attacked nationally,” he pointed out.

“Irrespective of the mayor’s claims, local officers should assist with ICE operations to ensure safety. What’s dangerous is that such misguided rhetoric can lead to real injuries among police officers.”

Attempts to reach Mayor Johnson for a comment were unsuccessful.