Prairie State Wire

Illinois House Republicans have announced that Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer is sponsoring House Bill 1317, which aims to repeal the TRUST Act, a law that limits cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.

According to the Illinois General Assembly, House Bill 1317, introduced by Davidsmeyer, seeks to repeal the Illinois TRUST Act. This act currently restricts local law enforcement from collaborating with federal immigration authorities. The bill also proposes amendments to the Illinois Identification Card Act and the Illinois Vehicle Code to align with this repeal. Supporters argue that such legislation would enhance public safety by enabling more effective collaboration between local law enforcement and federal agencies.

The Migration Policy Institute reports that as of 2021, Illinois had approximately 425,000 undocumented immigrants, comprising about 3.3% of the state's total population. This significant demographic has been central in discussions regarding state and local immigration policies. Proponents of HB 1317 contend that repealing the TRUST Act would facilitate better management of this population through improved cooperation between local and federal law enforcement.

A report from 2023 by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority indicates variability in compliance with immigration detainer requests across counties, leading to inconsistent enforcement of immigration-related offenses. The report suggests that policies like the TRUST Act contribute to these inconsistencies, posing challenges for uniform law enforcement practices. Advocates for HB 1317 believe repealing the TRUST Act would standardize procedures and enhance statewide immigration enforcement effectiveness.

The Illinois House GOP represents the Republican caucus in the Illinois House of Representatives, advocating for policies promoting public safety, fiscal responsibility, and limited government intervention. The caucus has expressed opposition to sanctuary policies and supports legislation aimed at strengthening cooperation between local and federal law enforcement agencies. According to their official platform, they are committed to ensuring laws like the TRUST Act do not impede law enforcement's ability to protect communities.