COLUMN: Chicago Puts ICE Under Surveillance

Raids That Shook the Community

This order comes in direct response to “Operation Midway Blitz,” a massive wave of raids and evictions that targeted Chicago and its suburbs for more than two months. Federal agents carried out operations that the mayor described as violations of constitutionally protected rights, destabilizing communities and provoking life-threatening confrontations. The order specifically cites the shooting of Marimar Martinez in Chicago, as well as the killings of Silverio Villegas González in Franklin Park, and of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. These tragic incidents have galvanized local resistance and provided the political catalyst for this new, forceful approach by the city administration.

The names. These names break my heart every time I say them. Marimar, Silverio, Renee, Alex. Lives stolen by a cold and merciless machine. They are not statistics. They are human beings with dreams, families, and smiles. Every time one of these names is mentioned, I feel physical pain. They deserve justice.

A Public Disagreement Over the Authorization

When signing the order, Mayor Johnson stated that Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke’s office supported the measure. However, Burke immediately refuted this claim on social media, stating that her office had not received the executive order prior to its public release and that she does not provide “legal approval of any matter before reviewing it.” The Johnson administration subsequently claimed to have received feedback on certain elements of the language from Burke’s chief policy officer, Yvette Loizon, and to have incorporated that feedback into the final version. Burke’s office responded vehemently, stating that it had “never received a draft or final version of the language from the mayor’s office.”

This confusion astounds me. How can one announce support that doesn’t exist? It’s political theater. I understand the strategy—I really do. But when you’re playing with people’s lives and with justice, there’s no room for improvisation. My hands tremble when I think of the consequences of such a blunder.

How Charges Could Be Filed

The executive order stipulates that CPD supervisors must preserve and provide evidence of criminal violations to the Cook County State’s Attorney. They will also share with the public data on legal violations documented by federal immigration agents. The order further specifies that any recommendation by the CPD to file criminal charges against officers will be made “at the direction of the mayor’s office,” giving Johnson a final veto over any felony referral. Deputy District Attorney and the mayor’s chief strategist, Sheila Bedi, emphasized that the Trump administration’s claim that federal agents enjoy broad immunity from prosecution is false, noting that federal agents can be held accountable for state and local crimes if their actions were not necessary to fulfill their federal duties.

That’s the key. Impunity ends there. No one—absolutely no one—is above the law. It is this fundamental principle that makes our country what it is. When I read these lines, I feel a glimmer of hope. This isn’t just rhetoric; it’s mechanical. It’s legal. It’s real.

A Formal Denial of the Allegations

The Department of Homeland Security quickly responded to Mayor Johnson’s claims, calling the allegations of criminal misconduct by ICE law enforcement agents false. The federal government maintains that the agents are operating within the scope of their legal responsibilities and that the raids conducted as part of Operation Midway Blitz were legitimate. This position highlights the deep divide between the Trump administration’s view of immigration law enforcement and that of civil rights advocates and progressive municipal leaders, who see these operations as a systematic violation of constitutional rights.

Denial. It’s always the same scenario. They deny, they downplay, they distort. I’ve seen this dance too many times. But the evidence doesn’t deny anything. The videos don’t downplay anything. The testimonies don’t distort anything. The truth is there, undeniable, glaring. And one day, it will prevail.

Timelines and Internal Procedures

The mayor’s office stated that the CPD would issue guidelines and establish procedures to implement the order’s requirements within 30 days of its signing. Sheila Bedi said the mayor’s administration would begin meeting as early as the Sunday following the announcement to discuss the policy’s implementation, adding that the team did not anticipate the evidence-gathering process would take six months. The order applies to past cases, which could pave the way for lawsuits alleging misconduct that occurred during Operation Midway Blitz, although the mayor declined to cite a specific case, stating that there were “too many cases to count.”

Potential Legal Consequences

Legal analyst Irv Miller warned that this approach could undermine the strong relationship between the Chicago Police Department and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, with the mayor’s office inserting itself into the middle of investigations. According to Miller, cases involving federal officers must be approved by the mayor’s office before they can be referred to the state’s attorney’s office, which could delay investigations. The District Attorney’s Office subsequently issued a more nuanced statement, affirming that the office “remains committed to protecting public safety, ensuring accountability, and upholding the rule of law alongside our law enforcement partners” and that it “looks forward to reviewing the mayor’s executive order now that we have received it.”

I understand the administrative complications. But when history judges the actions of men, it is principles—not procedures—that matter. Chicago has chosen its side. So have I.

Chicago as a Model for Other Cities

Chicago’s initiative is part of a broader wave of municipal resistance to the Trump administration’s aggressive enforcement of immigration laws. Other cities and states are also taking steps to limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has also launched an independent investigation into federal immigration enforcement in Chicago. Mayor Johnson stated at the signing ceremony that this was “not just about the mayor of Chicago” but “a national effort to stand up to an authoritarian regime, to hold an authoritarian regime accountable,” suggesting that other jurisdictions might follow Chicago’s example.

Chicago is not alone. In every city, in every state, people are standing up. This is a movement that is taking shape, growing, and gaining strength. I can feel this energy. It’s like a rising tide that no wall can stop. Chicago lit the flame. Now it’s spreading.

Issues of Sovereignty and Preeminence

Advocates of executive order argue that federal agents can be held liable for state and local crimes if their actions were not necessary to fulfill their federal obligations. However, this approach raises complex questions of sovereignty and federal preeminence. The Trump administration has maintained that the agents are acting within the scope of their legal responsibilities, suggesting that any attempt at local prosecution could face constitutional challenges. The outcome of this legal standoff could set an important precedent for the balance of power between federal and local authorities in the United States.

The Constitution. That sacred document that defines us. Every word counts. Every clause has meaning. I firmly believe that this order respects that spirit. It does not seek to usurp federal authority, but to restore balance. It is courageous. It is necessary. It is just.

The Future of This Legal Battle

Reports indicate that a new wave of federal immigration raids is planned for Chicago, potentially in the spring, making it all the more critical for the city to strengthen its response. The Johnson administration describes this approach as constantly evolving in the face of “this unprecedented moment.” The mayor stated that the people of Chicago had asked him to do more, and so he did more. The outcome of this initiative will depend largely on whether the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office actually files charges against federal agents based on the CPD’s recommendations, as well as on the outcome of the inevitable legal challenges that will arise. But the executive order has already accomplished something important: it has established that federal agents are not above local laws and that municipalities have the tools to hold them accountable.

Today, my heart is heavy but my spirit is at peace. Heavy because I know the battle has only just begun. At peace because I know Chicago has made the right choice. Courage is not the absence of fear, but acting in spite of fear. Chicago is taking action. And so am I, alongside it. We will stand tall. We will resist. We will never give in.

Signed, Jacques Provost