AG Madigan Issues Immigration ‘Guidance’ To Local Law Enforcement

Police in Illinois have limited power when it comes to matters of immigration. Wednesday, Attorney General Lisa Madigan issued “guidance" to remind local law enforcement about what they can and cannot do.

The bottom line on what state and local police can do about federal immigration enforcement is: not much.

Illinois law prohibits an arrest based only on someone’s immigration status.

Madigan says this is important, because nationwide, police say they're getting fewer reports of crime from immigrants “… who may be concerned that if they come forward to report that either themselves or their family members may be in jeopardy of deportation."

The guidance also looks at a January executive order by President Donald Trump expanding the range of people targeted for deportation.

But Madigan says the only reason Illinois police can hold someone for an immigration violation is if they have a warrant from a judge or probable cause to think the person has committed a crime.