Ammons-Backed Protections of Due Process Rights from Trump Raids Signed Into Law

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Locations where everyone should feel safe will be better protected from warrantless immigration raids under a new law backed by state Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, expanding due process protections for all people at hospitals, daycares, courthouses and college campuses.

“ICE has been a horrifying presence in the Champaign-Urbana community this year,” said Ammons. “I am proud to live in a diverse community with a diverse student population. Folks around Illinois should not fear detainment or arrest when they’re
seeking medical help or pursuing a higher education, and this bill guarantees hospitals and colleges as safe spaces.”

The Ammons-backed House Bill 1312 allows for a private right of action against agents who, in the process of conducting immigration enforcement, knowingly violate a person’s rights.

Ammons’ legislation also establishes protections for those without citizenship who are at or near hospitals, courthouses and daycares. The legislation prevents certain federal immigration enforcement actions at the following locations:

• Courthouses: prohibits civil immigration arrests at or near courthouses and provides civil penalties for violations and attorney fee recovery.
• Hospitals: requires hospitals to create formal policies for handling law-enforcement interactions, bars cooperation with immigration enforcement unless there is a judicial warrant and protects patient immigration-related information.
• Daycares: prohibits disclosing immigration information about children or families and requires policies and training to protect children if a parent faces immigration action.

Additionally, the legislation establishes protections for Illinois college students in the midst of growing immigration raids in the state. It specifically bars higher education institutions from disclosing citizenship information, requires staff to be trained on verifying immigration warrants and helps students access immigrant rights resources.

“The residents of the 103rd district should be encouraged to attend our public institutions without fear or intimidation. We will not be deterred in our quest for justice and due process”.

House Bill 1312 was signed into law by the governor earlier today.