Hernandez-Backed Reform Cracking Down on Immigration Harassment, Upholding Constitutional Rights, Signed into Law

AURORA, Ill. – State Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, helped pass major new reforms to protect people in hospitals, institutions of higher education, courthouses and childcare centers from constitutional abuse by law enforcement officials, which were signed into law today.

“Signing this legislation into law represents a major step forward for the safety of our community against abusive immigration actions. Donald Trump’s ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ and the out-of-control agents carrying it out are bringing chaos to places where people are meant to feel safe,” Hernandez said. “Patients at hospitals, students at colleges, kids at childcare centers and people seeking justice at courthouses are having constitutional rights trampled on.”

In a pushback against Trump Administration overreach, Hernandez backed House Bill 1312, which creates constitutional guardrails by granting 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. House Bill 1312 also requires hospitals to establish safeguards for patients in cases of inappropriate immigration enforcement actions taking place on hospital property. It further creates policies that state-licensed facilities and public campuses respond lawfully to immigration activities while continuing to protect the privacy of the people they serve.

Hernandez has been an active voice 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.

This legislation was signed into law by the Gov. today.

“Essential freedoms like free speech and due process are being torn away by a would-be strong man—all to serve a racist agenda,” Hernandez said. “Donald Trump is counting on us being intimidated into silence or goaded into violence, but we aren’t so effortlessly cowed or easily provoked. I’m proud to join with my colleagues to take this step, and I’ll be fighting to ensure more progress is on the horizon.”