Concerns Raised Over Chicago Mayor’s Stance on ICE Cooperation

A retired police chief from the Chicago area is voicing frustration with Mayor Brandon Johnson’s stand against working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He remarked that the mayor has explicitly instructed local law enforcement not to cooperate with ICE, suggesting that even if cooperation is legally required, they won’t be doing so.

Tom Weitzel, who served as a police chief in a suburb of Chicago from 2008 to 2021, expressed his concerns about the city’s situation. He highlighted that Chicago police have been explicitly ordered not to assist ICE. Johnson, he noted, regards the agency’s actions as “terrorism” and indicates that today’s America under Trump resembles a scenario where “the Confederates win.”

Weitzel commented on how the administration is undermining police support, stating that even when ICE is attacked, the mayor instructs officers not to help. He fears this could have dangerous implications, as it not only affects federal agents but also local police who might find themselves in harm’s way during such confrontations.

The retired chief shares that morale among the police force is plummeting, compounded by negative media portrayals and political discourse. According to him, the mayor’s stance creates a perception that he is constantly opposed to local law enforcement efforts. In his view, Johnson is not supportive of the police at all.

As of late August 2022, over 51,000 migrants have settled in Chicago, raising significant challenges for local authorities. Johnson has previously warned against the use of federal forces to manage immigration issues in the city.

Despite reaching out to Johnson for his perspective on these comments, there was no immediate response. The tension around these policies marks a notable moment in the ongoing conversation around immigration enforcement and local law enforcement relations.