Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson on Monday signed an executive order establishing “ICE-free zones” across city-owned properties, aiming to restrict federal immigration agents from using schools, parks, libraries and other municipal facilities for enforcement activities.
Private businesses can voluntarily join the citywide protection network, which Johnson says is designed to safeguard residents’ civil liberties and overall safety.
City-owned properties will now display signs reinforcing the order.
“This property is owned and/or controlled by the City of Chicago,” the sign reads, according to Fox 32. “It may not be used for civil immigration enforcement, including as a staging area, processing location, or operations base.”
Johnson described the executive order as establishing a broad civic shield designed to limit the reach of enforcement actions he considers harmful, emphasizing that federal agents should not operate unchecked in the city.
He framed the order as a defense of due process and constitutional rights, emphasizing that residents should not live in fear of intimidation or overreach by federal authorities.
The announcement follows high-profile ICE operations in South Shore, including confrontations with residents and the detention of elected officials.
Alderman Jessie Fuentes (26th) was handcuffed Friday while questioning ICE agents at a hospital about the validity of their warrants, the outlet reports.
The mayor criticized federal tactics as aggressive and unlawful.
Johnsone demanded that ICE leave the city, urging Chicagoans to resist what he called escalating violations of civil liberties, according to the Chicago Tribune.
If Congress will not check this administration, then Chicago will,” he said.
Johnson’s executive order comes as the Trump administration plans to deploy hundreds of National Guard troops to Chicago under Operation Midway Blitz, aimed at enforcing immigration laws.
A memo from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth outlines 300 Illinois National Guard personnel, with additional forces from Texas approved by Gov. Greg Abbott (R).
The presence of federal troops has sparked concerns over potential overreach and heightened tensions in a sanctuary city.
The White House “Rapid Response” team condemned Johnson’s order, claiming it shields criminal illegal immigrants and impedes law enforcement.
“This is outrageous,” the account wrote. “He is enabling criminals to evade justice.”
Supporters of the city’s sanctuary policies, however, argue that Johnson’s measures protect immigrant communities and uphold trust between residents and local police.
Chicago has struggled with violent crime, recording more than 331 homicides through early October, RedState highlights.
Over Labor Day weekend, at least 54 people were shot, seven fatally.
Critics contend federal agents are crucial to combating armed criminal activity and gang violence, while city leaders maintain that ICE operations often escalate confrontations and place residents at risk.
Legal challenges are ongoing.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) filed a lawsuit seeking to block the National Guard deployment, with Chicago joining the suit, arguing that federal troop presence constitutes executive overreach.
Johnson has also issued multiple executive orders limiting federal enforcement, including other municipal policies affecting federal cooperation, further reinforcing the city’s sanctuary stance.
Since the start of Operation Midway Blitz on Sept. 8, over 900 arrests have been made, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Johnson’s administration says it will continue monitoring federal activity and pursue legal remedies to protect residents and maintain the city’s autonomy.
The ongoing standoff highlights tensions between Chicago’s liberal leadership, federal authorities, and conservative critics, highlighting the contentious politics of immigration enforcement in major U.S. cities.
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