Andrade Supporting Bill to Protect Immigrants from Baseless Harassment

CHICAGO – State Rep. Jaime Andrade, D-Chicago, is supporting a bill that encourages state agencies to respect and protect immigrant rights by directing them to limit their assistance with unreasonable demands from federal immigration officials.

“No one should have to constantly worry about their loved ones being unexpectedly and baselessly detained,” Andrade said. “Our state should be doing everything it can to protect those who come to this country to make an honest living.”

Senate Bill 35 directs the Attorney General to publish policies that will limit the assistance a state-funded agency may give to federal immigration officials that would violate an individual’s rights. The policies must include protections against unreasonable searches and seizures, requirements for warrants based on probable cause and any other relevant constitutional protections. The bill would apply to any state-funded agency, including but not limited to all public schools, courts of the state, public libraries, licensed daycare centers, and state-funded hospitals and nursing homes.

“When our residents are applying to school or for a library card, they should rest assured that their personal information will not be used against them,” Andrade said. “It is my hope that this legislation will restore some faith and trust between our state and its residents by giving them peace of mind.”