SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Legislation sponsored by state Rep. Sonya Harper, D-Chicago, to prevent undocumented immigrants with no criminal backgrounds from being detained by law enforcement and increase trust between communities and local law enforcement was recently signed into law.

“Our nation was established by immigrants from all over the world who wanted to have a chance to achieve the American dream, and this law will ensure that families can continue to come to Illinois to achieve that dream,” Harper said. “This law sends a clear message to the Trump administration and Washington politicians that Illinois is a leader in diversity, inclusion and acceptance.”

Harper supported Senate Bill 31, known as the Illinois TRUST Act, which sets reasonable limits on local law enforcement from engaging in the enforcement of federal immigration policies by:

• Barring local law enforcement from complying with an immigration detainer without a court-issued warrant;
• Prohibiting law enforcement from detaining or continuing to detain someone solely based on an immigration detainer or non-judicial warrant; and
• Prohibiting the stopping, searching, arresting, or detaining of an individual solely based on their citizenship or immigration status.

According to the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), immigrant communities are more likely to report crimes and cooperate with police if they trust their immigration status will not be made an issue. Communities with more welcoming policies also show lower crime rates as undocumented immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than native-born citizens. Under Harper’s law, Illinois joins other states including California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island that limit cooperation between local law enforcement and federal agents to protect immigrants from unlawful prosecution.

“Immigrants should not be afraid of being harassed by law enforcement on a daily basis,” Harper said. “This law allows immigrants and their families to live in peace and know that they will be protected each and every day.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, member of the Latino Caucus, released the following statement after the Illinois Trust Act, Senate Bill 31, was signed into law:

“Thanks to the tireless efforts of community leaders and advocates across the state, Illinois now has the strongest statewide protections for immigrants in the country. The Illinois Trust Act will benefit all Illinois residents regardless of race, gender, or religion. It will allow families who are here raising children and contributing to our state’s economy to feel safe to go about their daily lives without the fear of being separated from their loved ones.

“Immigrants from all walks of life have made tremendous gains in the last few decades, but these gains are under attack at both the state and federal level. Even as the governor signs this bill, he has refused to speak out against the extremism of the Trump Administration, and he has unilaterally slashed funding for services immigrant communities rely on. Courageous leadership will be required to improve access to vital public investments like Welcoming Centers, and other integration services that aid new immigrants. So we must ensure that these services aren’t gutted in the budgets we craft as they empower people with the tools they need to become contributing members of society.

“While times may be difficult, we must remain hopeful in what can be accomplished when we come together to ensure that all people be treated equally, fairly, and above all, humanely. And the Illinois Trust Act sends a clear message to those seeking to divide us that in Illinois, diversity and inclusivity are valued over hate and intolerance.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, issued the following statement after Gov. Rauner’s office began to be flooded with anti-immigrant messages from the far right in response to the announcement that he will be signing Senate Bill 31, the Trust Act, on August 28:

“With everything currently going on, it is disappointing to see how people are reacting to the Trust Act as a result of misinformation being pushed by the far right. This legislation is supported by business leaders and law enforcement groups across the state. To use the governor’s own words, the Trust Act is a ‘very reasonable’ attempt to ensure law enforcement can focus on local policing rather than on federal immigration policies. It will not only protect immigrant families who are here raising children and contributing to our state’s economy, but it will cultivate trust between these communities and local law enforcement, increasing public safety in communities across Illinois.

“Courageous leadership will be required to ensure that all people be treated equally, fairly, and above all, humanely because Donald Trump lacks the moral leadership to lead our diverse nation. So I call on Governor Rauner to stand up to the hateful fringe of our society and to sign this monumental legislation into law.”

State Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez is a member of the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus and represents the 24th District, which includes Cicero, Little Village, Berwyn, Brookfield, Riverside, and Stickney.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. –State Rep. Chris Welch, D-Hillside, and state Rep. Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez, D-Cicero, member of the Latino Caucus, joined forces to pass legislation through the House that would give undocumented immigrants with no criminal backgrounds a peace of mind, and would foster trust between communities and local law enforcement.

“Generations of immigrants from every corner of the world have helped shape the unique character of our nation,” Welch said. “What makes our country truly great is the notion that no matter where you come from, you can live here and become an American. I urge the governor to make it clear to Washington and to the rest of the country that, in Illinois, diversity and inclusivity are valued over hate and intolerance.”

Welch and Hernandez are the Chief House Sponsors of Senate Bill 31, known as the Illinois TRUST Act, which would set reasonable limits on local law enforcement from engaging in the enforcement of federal immigration policies by:

• Barring local law enforcement from complying with an immigration detainer without a court-issued warrant,
• Barring law enforcement from detaining or continuing to detain someone solely based on an immigration detainer or non-judicial warrant, and
• Prohibit stopping, searching, arresting, or detaining an individual solely based on their citizenship or immigration status.

According to the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), immigrant communities are more likely to report crimes and cooperate with police if they trust their immigration status will not be made an issue. Communities with more welcoming policies also show lower crime rates as undocumented immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than native-born citizens. With Senate Bill 31, Illinois joins other states, including California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, to have restrictions in place which limit cooperation between local law enforcement and federal agents.

“Now more than ever, it is crucial that we work together to ensure that all people be treated equally, fairly, and above all, humanely,” Hernandez said. “The anti-immigrant rhetoric of Donald Trump must be addressed, so I urge Gov. Rauner to sign the TRUST Act and reassure our community that Illinois does not tolerate hate.”

Senate Bill 31 has passed both the House and Senate and now heads to Gov. Rauner for consideration.