Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson declared city-owned spaces as “ICE-free zones” on October 6, blocking federal immigration enforcement from operating in these areas.
The mayor justified the move by claiming that enforcing immigration laws “undermines community trust.”
The policy prevents Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from accessing city facilities to detain undocumented immigrants, including those with violent criminal records. This escalates tensions between Chicago and federal authorities over immigration enforcement.
ICE recently arrested multiple individuals with serious criminal convictions in Chicago. Among them was Stefan Cseve, an Austrian national convicted of sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, and aggravated criminal sexual abuse.
Cseve also faced numerous sexual predator charges and has pending counts of murder and rape of a minor. He allegedly violated sex offender registry requirements.
Refugio Ramirez-Larios, a Mexican national, was arrested with convictions for concealing homicidal death and felony weapon possession. His record included cocaine possession and crimes against persons.
Angel Galindo Viveros, also from Mexico, had convictions for armed carjacking and armed criminal action. He was previously convicted of illegal firearm possession as a felon.
Federal agents arrested Yushell Alejandro Yin Del Toro, a Mexican national with domestic violence and battery convictions. He has two pending assault charges and has twice resisted officers.
Blanca Cecillia Sanchez-Sanchez, a Venezuelan national, was confirmed as a Tren de Aragua gang member. The violent Venezuelan gang has expanded operations across the United States.
Antonio Rosales-Rodriguez, from Mexico, has been convicted or arrested for domestic violence, theft, and DUI. His record also includes criminal transmission of HIV.
Cristobal Carias Masin, a Salvadoran national, has convictions for statutory rape, fraud, and aggravated felony. He faces pending charges for assault and failing to register as a sex offender.
Jose Sanchez-Torres, a Mexican national, was convicted of exposing himself to a child, driving without a license, and domestic violence. He was ordered to be removed from the United States in 2004, but remained illegally.
The mayor’s order applies to all city-owned buildings, facilities, and properties. Federal immigration agents would need judicial warrants to access these locations.
Johnson’s policy follows similar sanctuary city measures in other major metropolitan areas. The move comes amid heightened federal immigration enforcement operations nationwide.
Federal–State Showdown Expands
The declaration came just hours after President Donald J. Trump ordered National Guard deployments to several states — including Illinois — to support federal enforcement efforts. Late Sunday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott approved the president’s request to mobilize up to 400 members of the Texas National Guard to assist in protecting federal officials in cities that have resisted cooperation with U.S. immigration authorities.
Abbott posted on X that he “fully authorized the President to call up 400 members of the Texas National Guard to ensure safety for federal officials,” adding, “You can either fully enforce protection for federal employees or get out of the way and let Texas Guard do it.”
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker condemned the move, calling it “Trump’s invasion.” “No officials from the federal government called me directly to discuss or coordinate,” Pritzker said in a statement, urging Abbott to withdraw his support and “refuse to coordinate.”
Chicago and Illinois officials have since filed a joint lawsuit seeking to block the deployments and halt Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s order federalizing portions of the Illinois National Guard.
The escalating dispute underscores a growing national confrontation between the Trump administration and sanctuary jurisdictions — now drawing Abbott and Texas directly into the legal fight over immigration enforcement.