Federal immigration agents were present at four Cook County courthouses on May 7, where they arrested at least one person, according to the public defender’s office and local advocacy groups. The presence of these agents and the arrest are being described as violations of state law by local officials.
The issue is significant because Illinois law prohibits civil arrests by federal agents in or near courthouses. Local leaders and advocates say that such actions undermine due process rights and contribute to fear among immigrant communities.
Katie Pelech, supervisor for the Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender, said federal agents were seen at several locations including the Domestic Violence Court on West Harrison Street, Branches 35 & 38 on East 111th Street, Branches 23 & 29 on West Grand Avenue, and the Maywood Courthouse. “Seeing ICE present at four courthouses all in the same morning looks like an escalation,” said Fred Tsao, senior policy counsel for the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. Pelech also reported that since February, federal agents have been observed near county courthouses weekly and have detained at least a dozen people during this period.
One individual was detained Thursday at Branches 23 & 29 after their misdemeanor property damage charge was dismissed. Video evidence reviewed by Block Club Chicago showed some agents wearing vests labeled “Police ICE.” According to Pelech: “What we are seeing are federal agents arresting people [who are] facing low-level allegations still cloaked in the presumption of innocence, who are following the law by showing up to court to see their cases through.” Earlier that week, another man was detained after leaving domestic violence court; he was reportedly tased by federal officers inside a CTA Blue Line station.
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office criticized what it called “indifference to and outright defiance of local laws by federal immigration authorities” in a statement encouraging residents to report such incidents. Griffin Krueger, mayoral spokesperson said: “Violent arrests which violate the rights of our residents only serve to stoke fear within our communities while inhibiting local law enforcement’s ability to keep our city safe.” Officials also described an incident where two public defenders experienced threatening behavior from federal officers inside a courthouse earlier that day.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson previously told Block Club Chicago: “the ability of law enforcement to make arrests of criminal illegal aliens in courthouses is common sense… Nothing in the constitution prohibits arresting a lawbreaker where you find them.” Despite repeated distribution of judge’s orders banning civil arrests inside courthouses, advocates say detentions continue. “This is not behavior intended to keep anyone safe,” Pelech said. “It’s intended to intimidate and harass by using our facilities as staging grounds.” Diego Morales from Pilsen PUÑO stated: “We are fighting back. We’re not going to let that fear dictate our actions.” Commissioner Jessica Vasquez called for stronger action from local police agencies.
Advocates urged increased funding for programs supporting legal representation for immigrants statewide amid rising reports of enforcement activity.
