Illinois Is a Sanctuary State, But Cops & Prosecutors Still Secretly Work with ICE: Injustice Watch

Illinois, known as a sanctuary state under the TRUST Act, has seen local law enforcement and prosecutors secretly collaborate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), leading to the detention and deportation of at least 150 immigrants since President Trump's return to office. A new investigation by journalist Aura Bogado of Injustice Watch reveals these covert partnerships, which violate state law and have devastating consequences for immigrant communities across Illinois.

Bogado's reporting, published in collaboration with The Intercept and Wired, highlights that over a third of Illinois counties—including rural and suburban areas outside Chicago—have had agencies share information with ICE. These partnerships have resulted in families being torn apart, with many deportees sent to Central America. Bogado obtained bodycam footage from Riverton, Illinois, showing real-time communication between local police, the FBI, and ICE during a traffic stop. In this case, officer Brad Herzog discovered an active warrant for Daniel Torrez Perez, leading to his eventual deportation despite Illinois' sanctuary protections.

The investigation found that while police and sheriffs' departments often work with ICE, the involvement of county prosecutors—who flag individuals not already on ICE's radar—was particularly surprising. Prosecutors have reportedly contacted ICE based on flimsy pretexts, such as a person being homeless or not speaking English. Bogado interviewed over 20 affected families, many of whom described the emotional toll of separation, especially during significant life events like the start of the school year.

Legal experts note that while law enforcement agencies are known to collaborate with ICE, the role of prosecutors in initiating contact raises serious questions about compliance with the TRUST Act. The law prohibits local officials from detaining individuals based on immigration status alone, yet these partnerships exploit data-sharing loopholes. For example, when a person is booked into custody, their fingerprints are automatically sent to ICE through federal databases, enabling real-time tracking and detention requests.

The revelations underscore the gap between Illinois' sanctuary policies and their enforcement in rural and suburban counties. While Chicago has stronger protections, areas like Sangamon County and downstate Illinois show a pattern of close interagency coordination between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. Bogado's findings suggest that even minor offenses or administrative reasons can trigger ICE involvement, leading to deportations that contradict the state's stated commitment to protecting immigrant residents.

These cases highlight the broader challenges faced by sanctuary states in enforcing their policies amid federal immigration enforcement priorities.

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