The Cook County Sheriff’s Department and Chicago Police Department are being accused with violating an order that does not allow them to ask undocumented people whether they are immigrants or not. Immigrants were arrested and although their bail was paid, “they’re kept on hold for 48 hours to allow [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] to start deportation proceedings” said Reverend José Landaverde of Chicago’s mainly Mexican Little Village. Even though they are not supposed to act as immigration authorities, deportation of undocumented peoples are on the rise, due in part to the collaboration between the sheriff’s department and state police and ICE. A case that was presented was the case of Jaime Duarte. Duarte was held by police and put in jail for parking in a handicapped space with no driver’s license or other form of identification and was kept in police custody by the ICE. A letter was produced by groups of the defense with the goal of preventing Duarte’s deportation stating that he is the primary caretaker for his sick wife.
Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart stated last month that his department has considered ending their collaboration with the ICE due in part to the decision being demanded by immigrants.
