CHICAGO – Illinois leaders are keeping a record of the treatment locals have suffered from federal agents amid President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement crackdown known as Operation Midway Blitz.
Gov. JB Pritzker signed an executive order on Oct. 23 creating a commission to keep a record of what the Democrat called “countless acts of intimidation and brutality on our civilians.” On Oct. 22, former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced her own effort to “unmask” immigration agents. Immigration advocates have also been keeping a tally of detainments or what they call “abductions” at the hands of federal agents.
Efforts to document the activities of Homeland Security agents carrying out Trump’s mass deportation campaign come as the city awaits the Supreme Court’s upcoming decision on whether Trump can deploy the National Guard to the city or not. White House lawyers have argued federal agents cannot enforce the law without help from the military.
“In a short time we have witnessed countless acts of intimidation and brutality on our civilians,” Pritzker said at a news conference held in his office on Oct. 23 in reference to the blitz launched on Sept. 8. “It is imperative that none of the impropriety, brutality and harassment goes unnoticed… They will be held accountable.”
Former federal district judge and prosecutor Ruben Castillo will head the project, known as the Illinois Accountability Commission. Pritzker said the commission will aim to create a public record of abuses; capture their impact on families; and recommend ways to prevent further harm.
The governor’s commission is just the latest attempt by local leaders to hold federal agents accountable. Federal judges based in Chicago have aimed to reign in agents’ aggressive tactics.