Chicago Mayor Johnson Signs Executive Order Blocking ICE Use of City Property Amid Enforcement Clashes

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has taken a firm stance against federal immigration raids by signing an executive order that prohibits ICE and other federal agents from using city-owned property for immigration enforcement operations. This move is part of the city's broader "Protecting Chicago" initiative aimed at safeguarding residents' constitutional rights and preventing the use of local resources for federal immigration actions. The executive order also extends protections to private property owners who refuse access to federal agents, effectively creating "ICE-free zones" on both public and private properties. These actions come amid a significant increase in federal immigration raids in Chicago under President Trump's "Operation Midway Blitz," which has sparked conflicts, including violent assaults on ICE agents and a lack of support from local police during federal operations. Mayor Johnson condemned abuses by federal agents, such as detaining elected officials and tear-gassing protestors, emphasizing the city's commitment to defending immigrant communities and upholding local authority against federal overreach. The city is actively identifying and preventing the use of municipal spaces for federal immigration enforcement to maintain trust and safety within immigrant communities.