Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has signed an executive order that could lead to local criminal prosecutions of federal immigration officers.
The mayor said there are countless examples of people’s rights being violated by federal agents.
He said the “ICE on Notice” executive order is a step toward justice.
“We need to send a clear message, if the federal government will not hold these rogue actors accountable, then Chicago will do everything in our power to bring these agents to justice,” he said during the announcement at City Hall. “As part of this order, our police department will document ICE and border patrol activity and attempt to identify officers on the scene. This evidence will then be preserved and at the direction of my office, will be referred to the State’s Attorney’s Office for potential prosecution.
Johnson said he will not be pitting law enforcement officers against one another.
“Our local law enforcement will not be placing handcuffs on another law enforcement agency,” he said.
The Mayor said “this executive order makes Chicago the first city in the country to set the groundwork to prosecute ICE and Border patrol agents for criminal misconduct. “
Johnson said the order addresses past and future allegations of violations.
Documented evidence of allegations against federal agents from incidents that have occurred over the past year or so could be used as the basis for prosecutions.
Press Release:
CHICAGO — Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson signed the ‘ICE On Notice’ executive order directing members of the Chicago Police Department (CPD) to investigate and document alleged illegal activity by federal immigration agents and refer evidence of felony violations to the Cook County State’s Attorney's Office for prosecution.
"Nobody is above the law. There is no such thing as ‘absolute immunity’ in America,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “The lawlessness of Trump’s militarized immigration agents puts the lives and well-being of every Chicagoan in immediate danger. With today’s order, we are putting ICE on notice in our city. Chicago will not sit idly by while Trump floods
federal agents into our communities and terrorizes our residents.”
Executive Order 2026-01 creates a framework for public accountability in the event federal agents violate local or state law while operating in Chicago. Mayor Johnson’s order makes Chicago the first city in the nation to leverage local authority to pursue legal accountability for misconduct by federal immigration agents.
In response to federal immigration operations which have violated constitutionally protected rights, destabilized communities, and provoked life-threatening confrontations while remaining insulated from local or civilian oversight, the Mayor’s order gives a clear procedure for CPD to follow if they witness or receive reports of federal agents engaged in illegal activity.
As ordered by Mayor Johnson, if CPD personnel observe or receive reports of apparent violations of state or local law by federal agents, they shall:
• Document federal enforcement activities in accordance with CPD policy;
• Ensure that any body-camera footage captured during the incident—including footage of any use of force, detentions, injuries, or other enforcement activity—is preserved;
• Seek to identify the federal supervisory officer on scene, attempt to verify the supervisory officer’s name and badge number, and record the credential verification using body-cameras—including any refusal to comply;
• Complete a report on any violation of state or local law by federal agents consistent with CPD policy;
• Immediately summon emergency medical services and render aid to any injured person on the scene.
In the event of illegal misconduct by federal immigration agents, CPD supervisors will preserve evidence of the incident and, at the direction of the Mayor’s Office, make a referral of felony matters to the Cook County States Attorney.
CPD will share aggregated data on documented legal violations by federal immigration officers with the pubic.
The order comes amid reports the federal government is planning another immigration surge in Chicago and the surrounding area later this spring. Mayor Johnson’s call for prosecution follows the absence of legal repercussions in the wake of the shooting of Marimar Martinez in Chicago and the killings of Silverio Villegas González in Franklin Park and Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
A nationwide coalition of local leaders and prosecutors have recently coalesced to attempt to hold Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents accountable in their own cities.
“I applaud Mayor Brandon Johnson’s bold and principled leadership in building the infrastructure to hold ICE and CBP agents accountable for criminal misconduct,” said District Attorney of Philadelphia, Larry Krasner. “He has stepped forward at a critical moment to defend his residents, protect local authority, and insist that federal power be exercised within the bounds of the law. Philadelphia stands in solidarity with Chicago and
with Mayor Johnson as he leads cities nationwide in standing up to federal overreach.”
This week, a federal judge in Minnesota identified 96 court orders which ICE agents have violated since January 1, 2026. During their operation in Chicago last fall, immigration agents ignored federal court orders limiting use of force during enforcement, including deployment of tear gas, pepper bullets, and flash bangs.
In consultation with Corporation Counsel and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Migrant and Refugee Rights, CPD will issue guidance and establish procedures for implementing the requirements of this Order within 30 days of today’s signing.
The signed Executive Order will be posted on the City Clerk’s website.
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