Two official pronouncements from authorities in Aurora struck somewhat different tones amid increased federal immigration enforcement activities by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency this past week.
After various demonstrations and altercations across Aurora Thursday and into Friday, first-term Democratic mayor John Laesch took a strong anti-enforcement position in a published statement Friday afternoon.
“As your Mayor, I am here for you, and I want you know that you are not alone,” Mayor Laesch said. “The Mayor’s Office is actively working with elected officials at the local, state, and federal level to put together citizen-led patrols that bring awareness to ICE activity, plus coordinating conversations with the families of residents who are detained.”
Laesch also stated, in part, that “I will never stop working to protect each and every one of our residents. We have your back, and we are here to both denounce and fight against any form of fascism, militarization, and hate.”
Mayor Laesch marched with community members last night from downtown Aurora to the site of one of the ICE detentions to show his support for those who have been detained.
Later in the day, Aurora police chief Matt Thomas issued a statement somewhat at odds with the mayor, indicating that while the Aurora Police Department is “not ICE,” and would not take part in immigration enforcement, neither would it impede the federal enforcement of immigration laws nor cease to protect them from violent actions.
“I want to be abundantly clear. The Aurora Police Department is not ICE. We are not an immigration enforcement agency, and we were not conducting federal operations. Our officers were there to protect lives, calm tensions, and make sure our community did not experience violence or property damage in our streets.
“We understand that emotions were high and that many in our community are fearful and frustrated. But our responsibility remains the same: to serve this city — every neighborhood, every family, every person who calls Aurora home. Our commitment is to protect your rights, your safety, and your dignity.
“At the same time, it’s important to understand that we cannot interfere with federal law enforcement operations. And while we respect the right of every individual to protest and speak freely, there is a clear line between peaceful expression and unlawful conduct. When that line is crossed — when people block traffic, damage property, or place others in danger — we will respond swiftly and decisively.
“Disrupting public safety or endangering others is not an act of protest; it’s a violation of the law, and it will be treated as such. The Aurora Police Department will always protect the rights of those who gather peacefully, but we will not tolerate behavior that threatens the safety or wellbeing of this community.”
Disrupting public safety or endangering others is not an act of protest; it’s a violation of the law, and it will be treated as such. The Aurora Police Department will always protect the rights of those who gather peacefully, but we will not tolerate behavior that threatens the safety or wellbeing of this community.”
Chief Matt Thomas
The seeming disconnect between the mayor and the chief is reflected in other jurisdictions around Illinois and the nation as a whole. In Illinois, Chicago police were reportedly outraged at orders allegedly issued by Chief of Patrol Jon Hein related to an incident on Saturday, October 4, when a protest took place in Chicago’s Brighton Park neighborhood involving federal immigration agents and protesters, during which a woman rammed her vehicle into a federal agent’s car and was subsequently shot by an agent. Reports surfaced that Chicago police officers were told not to assist the federal agents, even as the situation escalated, with audio circulating that purports to confirm the directive.
Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling and other CPD officials emphatically denied that a “stand-down” order was ever issued, but the Chicago FOP unanimously passed a vote of no-confidence in Chief of Patrol Jon Hein, with FOP President John Catanzara stating there should be no confusion about whether an order was given. The FOP demanded Hein’s removal from his command and a stripping of his police powers.
The aggressive enforcement activity by ICE under the Trump administration in so-called “sanctuary cities” is highlighting the battle between federal and local authority. Enforcement of immigration policy is, by law, a federal function, and impeding such enforcement is a criminal act. State and local authorities, however, cannot be forced to assist in such enforcement.
