Illinois Makes Police Detention Of Immigrants Illegal

CHICAGO, IL — Standing in front of a Mexican restaurant in Chicago's Little Village, Gov. Bruce Rauner broke with other conservatives as he signed legislation that makes it illegal for police to detain people based solely on their immigration status. Rauner was making good on his pledge to sign Senate Bill 31, also known as the Illinois TRUST Act, which prohibits law enforcement from stopping, detaining or arresting anyone based on their status or an immigration detainer.

Some have said the law will make Illinois a so-called "sanctuary state" by limiting the role of local authorities in enforcing federal immigration laws. The law comes amid immigration crackdowns that have led to arrests statewide.

Former GOP congressman and conservative talk radio host Joe Walsh reacted on Twitter, calling Rauner's decision a "slap in the face" to citizens. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Chicago — or other neighborhoods. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

Earlier this month, Rauner told WBEZ the bill was "very reasonable" and, far from tying law enforcement's hands, encourages cooperation between local police and federal immigration authorities. Rauner signed the bill on the last day of his 60-day window to take action on the legislation.

Meanwhile in Chicago, a suburban mother of six said she is taking refuge at a Humboldt Park church amid a threat of deportation. Francisca Lino, who says she hasn't had so much as a traffic ticket in her 18 years in the United States, said a paperwork error could send her back to her native Mexico.

More from Patch:

• ICE Raids 'Going to Get Worse,' Says Illinois Dem Thrown Out Of Meeting By Paul Ryan Staff
• Immigration Sweep Nets 48 Arrests In Chicago Area

(AP Photo/G-Jun Yam, File)