Applaud Illinois for Protecting Immigrant Rights

Illinois just took a brave and necessary stand to protect immigrant families from the Trump administration’s sweeping and often unlawful enforcement tactics. Gov. JB Pritzker has signed a new law safeguarding immigrants from being arrested near courthouses, hospitals, day cares, and college campuses — places where people should feel safe seeking care, attending class, or exercising their legal rights.

The law responds directly to Trump’s “Operation Midway Blitz,” which arrested more than 4,000 people — even though only about 15% had any criminal record, and most of those were minor, nonviolent offenses. Families were terrified to go to the doctor, take their kids to day care, or even walk into court for their own hearings.

The new law bans civil immigration arrests around essential institutions, protects medical and educational privacy, and even allows $10,000 in damages for anyone unlawfully arrested while attending a court proceeding. As Gov. Pritzker put it, “Dropping your kid off at day care or going to the doctor should not be a life-altering task.”

Add your name to applaud Illinois for defending immigrant families, safeguarding constitutional rights, and choosing compassion over fear!