'Do Not Even Try; You Will Fail," DuPage Clerk Warns ICE

DUPAGE COUNTY — DuPage County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek is sending a stern message to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) not to interfere with elections in the county.

She announced that the DuPage County Clerk's Office has launched a a phone number, so residents can report any ICE sightings at or near polling places.

"ICE go away. Do not even try. You will fail," Kaczmarek shared a statement Monday.

She said, "It is a federal crime for the military or federal agents to interfere in elections or intimidate voters. It is a crime, punishable by up to five years in prison, to deploy federal 'troops or armed men' to any location where voting is taking place or elections are being held."

"Those crimes will not be tolerated in DuPage County. Not on my watch," Kaczmarek stressed.

"It is a myth that noncitizens vote on Election Day," she said. "The very LAST place an undocumented person wants to be on Election Day is anywhere near a polling place. If caught voting, it would mean deportation."

Kaczmarek said that DuPage County's electoral process is "uniquely and inherently protected against ICE thugs" because the county lets voters use any polling place within county boundaries.

She urged residents to report any ICE sightings near polling places by calling 630-407-5634.

"Citizens of DuPage County, do not be afraid to vote or think it doesn’t matter. If ever there was a time to exercise your precious right to vote, it is now – the most critical election year of all," Kaczmarek said.

"The DuPage County Clerk’s office has your back."