Andrade Leads Effort Aiming to Protect Sanctuary Cities in Illinois

CHICAGO – Standing with immigrant communities throughout Illinois, state Rep. Jaime Andrade, D-Chicago, has introduced legislation that assists local communities in their efforts to support immigrant communities.

“With the Trump administration already ramping up attacks against immigrant communities in sanctuary cities like Chicago, now more than ever must we stand in solidarity and work to protect our fellow neighbors,” Andrade said. “The raids that have occurred in Chicago signify just how far this administration will go—they are persecuting law-abiding people because they come from a different place.”

Andrade’s proposal, House Bill 3739, creates the “Safeguarding Sanctuary Cities Act, which prevents state funds from being withheld from municipalities due to their status as a “sanctuary city”—any municipality that declines to coordinate with the Trump administration’s policies of increased deportations.

According to a memo distributed by the Trump campaign detailing immigration policy, the administration plans on tripling the amount of officers at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“As the son of immigrants, the xenophobic rhetoric and policies of the Trump administration goes against everything that I have taught my children about what is great about America,” Andrade said. “I encourage and remain hopeful that Gov. Rauner will publicly support this proposal and reject the nativist rhetoric that has been pushed by the Trump administration.”