Illinois Bans ICE Courthouse Arrests, Allows Civil Lawsuits

Illinois has passed a law banning federal immigration authorities, specifically ICE, from making arrests near courthouses, including a 1,000-foot buffer zone around those buildings. The legislation also permits lawsuits against federal agents for constitutional rights violations during civil immigration arrests, aiming to protect access to justice for all individuals. Despite support from Governor JB Pritzker and some lawmakers, concerns persist about the law's constitutionality, particularly regarding the Supremacy Clause and federal jurisdiction over immigration enforcement. This move aligns Illinois with other Democrat-run states like California and Connecticut that have enacted similar protections, though federal authorities and courts have often challenged such restrictions. Local law enforcement, such as the Broadview Police Chief, has criticized ICE for actions that strain resources and question the validity of some federal operations. Meanwhile, a federal judge has ordered ICE to limit warrantless arrests, reflecting ongoing legal battles over federal immigration enforcement tactics in Illinois.