City Council to Hold Hearings on Immigration

By Kevin Robinson in News on Jul 30, 2008 4:46PM

Led by 25th Ward Alderman Danny Solis, immigration rights activists and several aldermen announced that they will hold hearings next week to investigate claims that city and county officials allegedly violated immigrants civil rights. "We understand the value that immigrants hold in our society, whether documented or undocumented," said Solis. The allegations include charges that undocumented immigrants are being held in custody longer than the 48 hours required by law, and that city police have been pulling over Latino drivers to inquire about their immigration status. Such profiling is prohibited by a 2006 city ordinance. "This is a very serious issue," said County Commissioner Roberto Maldonado.

Last month, officials at Cook County Jail, where three federal immigration and customs officers are stationed daily, admitted that at least one immigrant inmate was detained longer than 48 hours. "We are mandated to enforce the nation's immigrations laws and we continue to aggressively do so," Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Gail Montenegro said. "ICE is here and available to work with any law enforcement that requests assistance," adding that ICE does not racially profile, or encourage holding immigrants for longer than 48 hours."

Chicago police deny the allegations. "We do not tolerate racial profiling," said police spokeswoman Monique Bond. "We do not inquire about an individual's Immigration status."

Photo by Katie Scully