Chicago prides itself on being a welcoming city for immigrants, newcomers and asylum-seekers. The current policy that the City is defending against a challenge by the Trump Administration is considered inadequate by many, since the policy allows someone to be reported to ICE if they have a prior felony conviction, a criminal warrant, a pending felony prosecution, or they are on the City’s gang database – a database that is notoriously inaccurate.
Will your administration support closing the loopholes listed above, in the Chicago Welcoming City Ordinance?
DOROTHY BROWN: |
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I favor removal of the requirement to report individuals who are listed in the gang database. The database is rife with inaccuracies according to recent reports and needs to be overhauled. It would be unfair to hold an individual for ICE based on unreliable sources of information. I would keep the exemptions for prior recent felony convictions that occurred in the last six month. However, I would also remove it for pending felony charges and open warrants because those individuals are innocent until proven guilty. |
GERY CHICO: |
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It is not an exaggeration to say the Trump Administration is an abomination and is actively committing crimes against humanity. I will take any steps necessary to protect residents of our city. |
BILL DALEY:
DID NOT RESPOND.
| AMARA ENYIA: |
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I support closing the loopholes. ICE’s policy related to arrest and detainment is rooted in xenophobia and has an adverse and draconian impact on people of color. It’s institutional bigotry disguised as a race-neutral matter of national security, of which our campaign vehemently condemns. |
BOB FIORETTI:
DID NOT RESPOND.
LA SHAWN FORD: |
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I am currently working on state legislation related to the disparities and radiating negative influences of Chicago’s gang database. And at the state level, I have always supported our sanctuary state model: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocTypeID=SB&DocNum=35&GAID=14&SessionID=91&LegID=98878 Although I am proud of the current and previous City administrations’ work to make Chicago a sanctuary city, the Chicago Welcoming City Ordinance has its loopholes. A true sanctuary city goes beyond protection from ICE. It provides a sense of freedom for all residents to get the services they need, and when humanly possible, in the languages in which they need those services. Our schools need to be sanctuary schools. We can work toward the purest sanctuary city model in the country, designing it "with" and not "for" those without documentation and their allies. A real sanctuary city will be inclusive in every meaning of the term, at new and more protective levels. |
JERRY JOYCE:
DID NOT RESPOND.
JOHN KOZLAR: |
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I do not support having criminals in our city, as I want to protect good families in our city from any violent offenders/criminals. |
LORI LIGHTFOOT: |
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| I support amending the Welcoming City Ordinance to remove the four exceptions to the general rule to not arrest or hold anyone based solely on an ICE warrant or hold request, especially where the ICE warrant or hold request is not signed by a judge. These exceptions involve individuals with prior felony convictions, pending felony charges, open warrants or listing in the city’s “gang database.” I would only comply with valid warrants or court orders that are signed by a judge. |
GARRY McCARTHY: |
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My administration will work to close any loopholes that attempt to erode the protections for immigrants, newcomers and asylum-seekers under our Welcoming City Ordinance. However, in those rare cases where an immigrant has committed a felony crime my administration will not harbor that individual and will seek their deportation. |
SUSANA MENDOZA: |
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I am the proud daughter of Mexican immigrants who showed me the value of a hard work ethic. Understanding the positive contributions that immigrants provide our city, makes me a strong supporter of Chicago’s status as a sanctuary city. Having said that, I don’t believe that those with criminal warrants, especially for violent offenses, should be protected from arrest. We need to do more to ensure that those who commit violent crimes, regardless of their immigration status, are held accountable while still maintaining protections for our immigrant communities; a balanced approach that can protect human rights and overall public safety. |
TONI PRECKWINKLE: |
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| As County Board President, I stood up against the U.S. Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and refused their request to hold undocumented individuals in the jail after they have secured their freedom. As a candidate for Mayor, I have called for the end to the carve outs in the Welcoming City ordinance that empowers Chicago police to work hand in hand with ICE. I’m working with the lead sponsor of the City’s Welcoming City ordinance and the broader community coalition to make this a reality. |
NEAL SALES-GRIFFIN:
DID NOT RESPOND.
PAUL VALLAS: |
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I support the “Welcoming City” Ordinance. When I was CEO of the Chicago Public Schools, we were a “Welcoming School District” and didn’t need an ordinance to ensure that. This means students and their families were provided the same supports and building access regardless of their immigrant status. I will continue that approach citywide as Mayor. I will, however, cooperate with outside agencies on issues related to violent criminals and individuals who pose a potential threat to the community. All too often the immigrant community is victimized.
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WILLIE WILSON:
DID NOT RESPOND.
