ICE says Chicago arrests had final orders of removal; Illinois gov, other officials cry foul

Despite criticism from state and local politicians about immigrant detentions in Chicago, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials say people detained Wednesday outside a Homeland Security office on the city’s Near South Side had final orders of removal by a judge.

An ICE spokesperson provided The Center Square with a statement Thursday.

“Those arrested had executable final orders of removal by an immigration judge and had not complied with that order,” the spokesperson said.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker was asked about the detentions Thursday at an unrelated event in West Chicago. The governor criticized the feds and President Donald Trump.

“Look, from the beginning of this administration there have been inappropriate and sometimes, I would argue, illegal moves on the part of ICE. It’s important to me that they follow the law, the federal law,” Pritzker said.

The governor was asked if Chicago police officers violated state law by assisting ICE agents.

"Let's be clear. Chicago police followed the law. Whenever ICE is engaged in raids like this, if there's a situation where there is a court-ordered warrant for someone's arrest, it is absolutely appropriate for police to be engaged," Pritzker said.

Mayor Brandon Johnson spoke Thursday at the National Immigrant Heritage Month reception in downtown Chicago.

“We saw armed, masked men walk down our streets in broad daylight, and they kidnapped mothers and fathers. We saw them brutalize protesters and shove crying grandmothers into the backs of unmarked vans,” Johnson said.

Johnson said ICE used deceptive practices to arrest people outside a Homeland Security office.

“You have the president of the United States setting human traps. It is sickening and unconscionable,” Johnson said.

Illinois U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Chicago, reiterated her call for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s resignation.

“Your actions undermine the rule of law and violate the very basic promises we made to people that if you comply with our process, you can have your day in court and your case heard in front of a judge. By arresting, detaining and subjecting to expedited removal people who are actively complying with the terms of their release, you are violating that promise and sending the message that compliance does not matter,” Ramirez said in a letter to Noem and ICE acting director Todd Lyons.

Supporters of Trump's and Noem's deportation efforts say it's improving public safety and note that the president is doing what voters elected him to do last year.