SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Thaddeus Jones, D-Calumet City, is backing legislation to keep the children and families of undocumented immigrants safe in school, at church and in other locations, taking steps that would block President Donald Trump’s deportation officers from using extralegal means to target Illinois residents.

“Since the election of Donald Trump, a fear has spread throughout immigrant communities across our country that the president seems to think he can send immigration officers wherever he wants, whenever he wants, without court oversight,” Jones said. “My proposal would block federal deportation officers from entering schools, churches and hospitals without a warrant. This measure will bring some peace of mind to immigrants who contribute to our communities in an effort to create a better life for themselves and their families.”

Jones is sponsoring House Bill 426, which creates safe zones for the 2 million immigrants who currently residing in Illinois, including approximately 500,000 of whom are undocumented. Under the legislation, federal Immigration & Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) officials and other agencies working with I.C.E. would be prohibited from entering public schools, hospitals and houses of worship without a court-ordered warrant.

“School, church and the hospital should be safe places for all, and this legislation makes it clear that in Illinois no group of people should be denied these basic human dignities simply because of their race, nationality or immigration status,” Jones said. “Unlike Donald Trump, the people of Illinois believe everyone should be treated with respect, whether they look like us or not, and all people deserve the protection of the law, regardless of their skin color.”