SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois lawmakers recently passed legislation aimed at curbing federal immigration arrests near courthouses. The proposal, adopted early Friday, enables individuals to sue if they believe their constitutional rights have been violated during immigration detentions at legal venues.
The bill imposes civil penalties for false imprisonment for those attending court. Democratic Senate President Don Harmon, a lead sponsor, expressed concern about the legislation's ability to withstand future court disputes, hinting at a possibly challenging path ahead. Harmon stated, “It’s not just about the constitutionality of the law, which I think is sound, but it’s the reality that the courts are stacked against us.”
Governor JB Pritzker has shown support for the initiative, which seeks to ensure that everyone can access the courts without the fear of arrest. The law also requires hospitals and schools to develop policies on how to handle immigration agents entering their establishments. Advocates argue that courthouses should be places of justice and safety, free from intimidation, and similar measures have been adopted in other states like California, which has limited immigration enforcement in similar facilities since 2017.
The bill imposes civil penalties for false imprisonment for those attending court. Democratic Senate President Don Harmon, a lead sponsor, expressed concern about the legislation's ability to withstand future court disputes, hinting at a possibly challenging path ahead. Harmon stated, “It’s not just about the constitutionality of the law, which I think is sound, but it’s the reality that the courts are stacked against us.”
Governor JB Pritzker has shown support for the initiative, which seeks to ensure that everyone can access the courts without the fear of arrest. The law also requires hospitals and schools to develop policies on how to handle immigration agents entering their establishments. Advocates argue that courthouses should be places of justice and safety, free from intimidation, and similar measures have been adopted in other states like California, which has limited immigration enforcement in similar facilities since 2017.
