Overview
- Local leaders said federal immigration agents entered the Cook County Domestic Violence Courthouse with plans to take someone into custody, and hours after the Thursday visit they held a press conference to warn the public.
- The Public Defender’s office reported at least five courthouse encounters since late February and three arrests, with two tied to the Domestic Violence Courthouse on February 27 and March 10.
- County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said she is working with the Sheriff’s Office on accountability options, and ICE and the Department of Homeland Security did not respond to requests for comment.
- Illinois enacted the Court Access, Safety, and Participation Act in December to bar civil immigration arrests at courthouses, following an October order from the county’s chief judge that set the same rule.
- Officials said the law has no criminal penalties and depends on detainees filing civil suits, and advocates warned an ICE presence at the domestic violence court can scare survivors away from seeking protection or testifying.