Hernandez Backs Reform Cracking Down on “Operation Midway Blitz” Harassment in Hospitals, Courthouses, Higher Ed Campuses, Childcare Centers

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, backed major new reforms to give a private cause of action to people in hospitals, institutions of higher education, in and near courthouses, and childcare centers who suffered abuse from law enforcement carrying out Donald Trump’s “Operation Midway Blitz.”

“For weeks—soon months—our community has had spaces that should be safe and private invaded by unconstitutional violence and chaos,” Hernandez said. “When people think they’re going to be abducted at a hospital, they will stop seeking treatment. When people think they’re going to be harassed by federal agents at school, they will stop seeking education. When parents believe their small children are at risk at daycare, those kids won’t get daycare. These hostile enforcement actions will result in widespread sickness and pain in the immigrant community, and they deserve legal protections and recourse.”

In a strong pushback against Trump Administration overreach, Hernandez backed House Bill 1312, or the Bivens Act, which grants victims of unconstitutional immigration enforcement actions a private cause of action if the overreach occurred in hospitals, childcare centers, institutions of higher education or courthouses.

This comes in response to widespread arrests and overly aggressive enforcement actions that have terrorized Hernandez’s community and communities across Illinois.

Hernandez has been an active local leader in non-violent protests against similar misconduct and taken a major role in passing previous similar legislation like the TRUST Act, which prevents local law enforcement from coordinating with immigration agents.

“Trump Administration abuse of the immigrant community has been rapid and aggressive, and our conduct as lawmakers needs to mirror that speed,” Hernandez said. “This bill is an immediate step to curtail their exploitation, but it is far from the last.

“Tonight, I passed House Bill 1312, a major pushback against unconstitutional overreach in “Midway Blitz” enforcement actions, requires hospitals to establish safeguards against law enforcement presence, prohibits arrests in and around courthouses, while giving people a legal cause of action against agents who overstep these rules. This is the kind of non-violent resistance that we can use to stop the abuse and take our community back.

“If you are in a hospital, a college campus, a courthouse, or a childcare center, the bill I passed tonight gives you legal protections against unconstitutional overreach from immigration agents, and a cause of action to take them to court. House Bill 1312 is another step in non-violent resistance against Donald Trump’s “Operation Midway Blitz” designed to give people the legal tools they need to protect themselves.”