Freeport alderman calls on city officials to cooperate with federal immigration crackdown
FREEPORT, Ill. (WTVO) — A Freeport alderman is calling on city officials to cooperate with federal efforts to detain and deport criminal migrants.
James Monroe (2nd Ward) issued a statement Thursday calling on Mayor Jodi Miller, City Manager Rob Boyer, and Police Chief Chris Shenberger to 'fulfill their legal and constitutional obligations by enforcing federal immigration laws and turning over criminal aliens to federal authorities.'
Monroe went on to accuse city officials of violating federal law, their oaths of office, and endangering the safety of Freeport residents.
'The rising crime and violence in our community are direct consequences of policies that shield criminal illegal aliens from prosecution and deportation,' Monroe wrote.
Shenberger issued a statement in early February, explaining, 'In Illinois, we are still governed by the TRUST Act, which was passed in 2017, that states we cannot comply with federal immigration warrants or detainers unless signed by a judge. We cannot search a person based on their immigration status, and we cannot hold a person based on an ICE request.'
Police said any immigration enforcement was the responsibility of federal law enforcement agencies, and not associated with local authorities.
The Trump administration has pledged to crack down on illegal immigration and carry out mass deportations.
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago claiming 'sanctuary' policies interfere with federal immigration enforcement.
Illinois prevents local authorities from cooperating with U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) by way of the TRUST Act, and the Way Foreward Act.
The TRUST Act, signed in 2017, prohibits law enforcement agencies from detaining an individual based on their immigration status and prevents officers from questioning someone's immigration status. It also forbids law enforcement from transferring a detainee into federal custody unless by a court order.
The lawsuit claims those laws violate the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
The suit also claims that Illinois' immigration policies make it harder for federal authorities to arrest and detain dangerous criminals.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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