Quigley Demands Investigation Into ICE Misconduct
Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) demanded that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of the Inspector General (IG) launch an investigation into the numerous reports of dangerous, often violent conduct of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal law enforcement during their operations in the Chicagoland area.
Quigley and the entire Illinois House Democratic delegation documented repeated abuses by ICE, including detaining U.S. citizens, making warrantless arrests, deploying tear gas in direct contravention of court orders, conducting operations at sensitive locations such as schools, hospitals, and places of worship, and many more instances of misconduct. Their demand for accountability comes after ICE dramatically escalated its activities over recent weeks, deploying teargas in Lakeview and Old Irving Park in Quigley’s district, terrorizing residents of Little Village, and disrupting a Halloween parade being held for children at a local school.
The Members wrote, “Since the beginning of the year, multiple credible reports indicate that immigration enforcement arrests and raids have involved significant violations of due process rights. Dozens of individuals – including American citizens – have been detained without judicial warrants, legal notification, or access to legal counsel.”
They also highlighted the impact of recent federal immigration enforcement actions on children in Illinois.
“In addition to conducting warrantless arrests, ICE operations are also having a severe impact on children in our communities. At schools in and around Chicago, classes are being disrupted, and students are being traumatized by ICE arrests … Chicago Public Schools set up a District Command Center in response to fear and anxiety due to federal immigration enforcement operations. School leaders report students unable to sleep, losing appetite, general fear, and anxiety. A number of parents have expressed concern about sending kids to school. And the reports of the treatment of children at the South Shore raid who were dragged from their beds into U-Hauls and zip-tied in the middle of the night is completely unacceptable and must be investigated and never allowed to occur again,” the Members continued.
The letter co-signers include U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky, Robin Kelly, Eric Sorensen, Sean Casten, Nikki Budzinski, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Danny Davis, Jonathan Jackson, Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, Delia Ramirez, Bill Foster, Lauren Underwood, and Brad Schneider.
A copy of the letter demanding that DHS launch an IG investigation is available HERE. To rewatch Congressman Quigley's press conference, click HERE.