Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed the ‘ICE On Notice’ executive order on Saturday, Jan 31 (US time), ordering the Chicago Police Department (CPD) to investigate and document alleged illegal activity by federal immigration agents. Johnson’s major decision makes Chicago the first US city to push local law enforcement to pursue legal accountability for misconduct by federal authorities, as per a press release by the Office of the Mayor.
The executive order is set to go into effect as federal agents’ actions during the ongoing “Operation Midway Blitz” continue to make controversial headlines across Chicago. Even otherwise, the US is currently witnessing open criticism of federal immigration agents as the Department of Homeland Security under the Donald Trump administration has ramped up the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol agents nationwide.
With “Operation Midway Blitz” wreaking havoc in Chicago (Illinois) with widespread arrests, raids and protests, “Operation Metro Surge” has emerged as its counterpart with a targeted approach in Twin Cities, aka Minneapolis and St Paul, in the state of Minnesota. In both cases, DHS claims that these operations are targeting “criminal illegal aliens.”
What is ICE On Notice?
Through Executive Order 2026-01, Chicago’s mayor has created a framework to hold federal agents accountable in case they violate state or local law while executing Trump’s immigration crackdown operations in Chicago.
In such cases of alleged illegal activity by federal authorities, evidence of felony violations will be referred to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office for prosecution, as per the press release. It further establishes that the Mayor’s order gives “a clear procedure for CPD to follow if they come across or receive reports of ICE agents engaging in illegal activity.
The executive order particularly aims to counter any chance of federal immigration operations violating constitutionally protected rights or provoking life-threatening confrontations.
Authority granted to Chicago police thanks to mayor’s ICE On Notice EO
According to the Chicago mayor’s office’s press release, the CPD personnel may do the following if they encounter any reports of apparent violations on the part of federal authorities:
“- Document federal enforcement activities in accordance with CPD policy;
– Ensure that any body-camera footage captured during the incident—including footage of any use of force, detentions, injuries, or other enforcement activity—is preserved;
– Seek to identify the federal supervisory officer on scene, attempt to verify the supervisory officer’s name and badge number, and record the credential verification using body-cameras—including any refusal to comply;
– Complete a report on any violation of state or local law by federal agents consistent with CPD policy;
– Immediately summon emergency medical services and render aid to any injured person on the scene.”
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s statement against Trump’s ICE
“Nobody is above the law. There is no such thing as ‘absolute immunity’ in America,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “The lawlessness of Trump’s militarised immigration agents puts the lives and well-being of every Chicagoan in immediate danger. With today’s order, we are putting ICE on notice in our city. Chicago will not sit idly by while Trump floods federal agents into our communities and terrorises our residents.”
Johnson’s signed executive order is making headlines after multiple cases of gunfire at the hands of ICE and Border Patrol rocked the nation amid the ongoing widespread immigration operation. The order raises calls for accountability in the wake of the shooting of Marimar Martinez in Chicago and the killing of Silverio Villegas Gonzales in Franklin Park.
Similarly, Minneapolis recently witnessed the harrowing fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
Johnson’s office also stated that the executive order also followed reports of the federal government planning another immigration surge in Chicago this spring.
Back in October, the Chicago mayor had signed a separate executive order, thereby declaring city-owned or controlled parking lots, vacant lots, and garages as “ICE-free” zones. It sought to limit where federal agents can gather.
Top DHS exec slams Chicago executive order
After Johnson signed the ‘ICE On Notice’ executive order, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin slammed the allegations of “criminal misconduct” by ICE in a statement.
“These claims of criminal misconduct by ICE law enforcement are FALSE. Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, ICE is held to the highest professional standard and officers regularly receive ongoing training,” she said. “As our brave law enforcement arrests and removes dangerous criminal illegal aliens, including murderers, rapists, and gang members from our communities, America can be proud of the professionalism our officers bring the job day-in and day-out.”
She went on to accuse Illinois sanctuary politicians of releasing “violent criminals” from prisons back into communities. “Illinois’ failure to honor ICE detainers has resulted in the release of 1,768 criminal illegal aliens since January 20. The crimes of these aliens include 5 homicides, 141 assaults, 23 burglaries, 4 robberies, 24 dangerous drugs offenses, 15 weapons offenses, and 10 sexual predatory offenses,” McLaughlin added.
“There are currently 4,015 aliens in the custody of an Illinois jurisdiction with an active detainer. The crimes of these aliens include 51 homicides, 1,134 assaults, 107 burglaries, 36 robberies, 275 dangerous drugs offenses, 120 weapons offenses, and 813 sexual predatory offenses.”