Stay Strong

Last September, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle signed a simple, well-reasoned ordinance on immigration. The ordinance would require the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to reimburse the County if it wants us to hold people in our jails longer than local law allows. This was an historic victory for Cook County taxpayers, the rule of law, and public safety. It was also a victory for immigrant families who are still being separated by ICE in record numbers.

We need you to send a letter to our supporters on the Cook County Board right now!

Ordinance Supporters

Subject: Stand Firm: Oppose any attempt to undermine the ICE detainer ordinance

Your Letter:

On September 7, you supported a groundbreaking ordinance to end our county’s compliance with immigration detainers that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) do not fully pay for.  This ordinance ended the unfunded mandate that ICE imposed on our county, and has helped keep families together.

The County Board is now considering two amendments that would undercut this ordinance.  We ask you to stand firm with Commissioner Garcia and uphold the ordinance.  Passing the ordinance was the right thing to do then, and is still the right thing to do.

ICE is trying to undermine this ordinance by playing up the tragic death of William McCann, as reported in the Sun-Times and Tribune. But that tragedy was a failure by ICE, not the Cook County Board.  ICE could have issued a legally-binding warrant for Mr. Chavez’s arrest, instead of just a detainer.  It could have picked up Chavez after his prior offense, or right after he was released on his current charge. It could have simply reimbursed the County $142.80 per day to hold Chavez, as the ordinance allows.  On all these counts, ICE failed. Yet ICE is now trying to bully the county into undoing the ordinance—and create more tragedies as families are separated due to deportation.

We ask you to hold firm in your support of our County and of immigrant families.   Don't reward ICE's failures or bullying.  Please stand with Commissioner Garcia and President Preckwinkle and stand firm on upholding the ICE detainer ordinance. 
 
Thank you.

Earlean Collins

Cook County Board

Bridget Gainer

Cook County Board

Jerry "Iceman" Butler

Cook County Board

John Fritchey

Cook County Board

Larry Suffredin

Cook County Board

Deborah Simms

Cook County Board

Joan Patricia Murphy

Cook County Board

Jesus Garcia

Cook County Board

Jeffrey Tobolski

Cook County Board

Edwin Reyes

Cook County Board

Lead Opposition John Daley

Subject:

Your Letter:

I am writing to express my deep disappointment at your proposal to undermine the Cook County ordinance regarding immigration detainers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).  On September 7, the Cook County Board passed this ordinance to end our county’s compliance with these detainers when ICE doesn't fully pay for them.  This ordinance ended the unfunded mandate that ICE imposed on our county, and has helped keep families together.

We are disturbed that rather than choosing to uphold this sensible law, you are now trying to gut it--and in doing so rewarding ICE for its failures to do its job.  The tragic death of William McCann, as reported in the Sun-Times and Tribune, was a failure by ICE, not the Cook County Board.  ICE could have issued a legally-binding warrant for Mr. Chavez’s arrest, instead of just a detainer.  It could have picked up Chavez after his prior offense, or right after he was released on his current charge. It could have simply reimbursed the County $142.80 per day to hold Chavez, as the ordinance allows.  On all these counts, ICE failed.  And now ICE is trying to bully the county into undoing the ordinance—and create more tragedies as families are separated due to deportation.

Our county should not pay for ICE's failures.  I urge you to withdraw your proposed amendment and to work with Commissioner Garcia and President Preckwinkle on reasonable solutions that will protect families and enhance our public safety.  Thank you.

John Daley

Cook County Board

Languages

Stay Strong

Ordinance Supporters

Earlean Collins

Bridget Gainer

Jerry "Iceman" Butler

John Fritchey

Larry Suffredin

Deborah Simms

Joan Patricia Murphy

Jesus Garcia

Jeffrey Tobolski

Edwin Reyes

Lead Opposition John Daley

John Daley

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