Chicago is blocking a proposal that would have allowed law enforcement to cooperate with ICE in targeting criminal immigrants.

Chicago’s city council on Wednesday blocked a proposal that would have allowed local law enforcement to help Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detain immigrants with criminal records.

Chicago’s “host city” law, along with the Illinois Trust Act of 2017, prohibits local law enforcement from participating in immigration enforcement.

Ald Ray Lopez and Silvana Tabares wanted to change the law so that police could work with ICE to target immigrants who were arrested for gang activity or drug-related or sex crimes involving children. Their measure received pushback from activist groups when they introduced the measure in 2023.

The two officials saw their amendment defeated by a vote of 39-11.

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Before Chicago officials voted down the proposed amendment, Jordan Kelly, a member of the Council on American-Islamic Relations and a resident of the 30th Ward, spoke out against Lopez and Tabares’ amendment.

“Self-hating cowards like Ray Lopez and Tabares want to turn our city into a hell for non-Latino immigrants. CAIR Chicago has 40-50 open asylum cases right now. What are we telling these people and families. If we don’t stay a sanctuary again, our economy can’t handle mass deportations, ” said Kelly.

The issue of immigration has been hot in the Windy City as officials have had to deal with an increase in the number of immigrants over the past few years. Many Chicago residents are frustrated with city officials, especially Mayor Brandon Johnson and his handling of the situation.

One resident who spoke at Wednesday’s city council meeting chided Johnson

“Who are you loyal to? American citizens in Chicago or illegal immigrants in Chicago?,” the man said. “The sanctuary law that Brandon Johnson allowed brought in criminals, drug dealers, and now terrorists.”

One resident criticized Mayor Brandon Johnson for making the city a “sanctuary” for illegal immigrants.

The vote to block the measure came after Johnson last week issued new guidelines before President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House.

Johnson’s directives advise that if ICE must enter a city area to “contact your agency or the department’s designated attorney or general counsel for additional guidance. Contact the chief executive officer or designated manager in the area and take no action until that person arrives.”

The guidance advises officials to request copies of warrants, not allow ICE to enter “any confidential or ‘sensitive’ areas,” but not to interfere with any search, even if denied. There are other recommendations, such as taking notes and keeping timely written records.

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In response to the mayor’s directives, Lopez said Johnson is making a “great effort” to stop his proposal to deport immigrants with criminal records.

“Actually, I’m surprised that the mayor made this incredible effort to try to stop that and I and Ald. Tabares what we want to do, is to remove a small number of people who choose to commit crimes in the City of Chicago,” Lopez told FOX 32 Chicago. “The story that the mayor and his allies are telling is that we’re trying to remove everyone – it’s not.”

Chicago residents ripped Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson in his face during a recent City Council meeting called to vote on his new property tax increase proposal. (Reuters/Vincent Alban)

Trump’s choice of borderTom Homan, has promised to go after Chicago with tougher laws, vowing to ensure the status of asylum seekers and arrest anyone who provides shelter to illegal immigrants.

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The incoming border chief also warned that Johnson would be prosecuted if he interfered ICE’s mass deportation efforts.

Neither Lopez nor Tabares immediately responded to a request for comment.