CALA and other immigrant and civil rights organizations across Illinois have submitted a request to the Honorable Lloyd Karmeier, Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court, to protect families from immigration activities at Illinois courthouses.

As the number of reported immigration enforcement actions at courthouses has grown steadily throughout 2017, our clients and their families are increasingly fearful of engaging with the court system. The widely reported presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) personnel at courthouses chills access to the courts, impedes residents from complying with the law and accessing essential court services, and deters them from doing so in the future.” We have asked that Chef Justice Karmeier direct the Circuit Courts not to maintain or enact policies that require or promote reporting to immigration authorities about individuals who interact with the justice system; and (2) formally request the Secretary of Homeland Security to refrain from immigration enforcement at Illinois courthouses.