Carpentersville has joined a growing list of municipalities that have banned U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from using village property for civil immigration enforcement activities.
The Carpentersville Village Board unanimously approved an ordinance Tuesday night in a vote that received an extended round of applause from the 150 or so people who gathered to show their support.
Board members were moved to take action after ICE agents targeted the village in an Oct. 15 raid that resulted in 12 people being detained. An area in front of the village hall was used as a staging area, detainees were taken inside the building to use the restroom and their presence impeded traffic on LW Besinger Drive, officials said.
A crowd gathered at village hall as the raids occurred, with some people taking videos of the scene and others exchanging comments with the agents.
The following day, federal agents used an unauthorized area behind the Carpentersville Police Department despite signs posted identifying it for “police and employee parking only” and “authorized personnel only,” according to village documents. The agents did not communicate with the village about using its grounds nor did they obtain permission to go into the restricted area, officials said.
Village trustees met with local legislators and decided the best course of action was an ordinance similar to those adopted in Chicago, Evanston, Cook County, and Lake County. It creates rules establishing “ICE-free zones.”
“I will always stand up for this community, and I won’t be intimidated,” said Trustee Jim Malone, who was at village hall last week when the ICE operations occurred.
“Having personally observed the conduct of unidentified, masked, heavily armed agents in unmarked vehicles and the clear public safety hazards they created, I support prohibiting ICE or any other private or paramilitary group from staging, training or operating on any village-owned property,” he said.
Trustee Jeff Frost echoed that opinion, saying, “We represent everybody in this town. … Keep the faith. The village of Carpentersville will be here for you.”
Village President John Skillman said village officials met last week with state Sen. Cristina Castro and state Rep. Anna Moeller, both Elgin Democrats, and plan to keep meeting with them to discuss what other policies or actions can be implemented. The village will work to make sure residents aren’t afraid to come to village hall to do things like pay their water bills, he said.
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The crowd that attended the meeting overflowed the village board room. Audience members carried American flags and signs reading, “Protect Our Families” and “ICE Out.” Speakers shared their fears, concerns and personal experiences about the ICE raids.
Naomy Poot, who said she was born and raised in Carpentersville, urged the board to pass the ordinance.
“I see firsthand the pride people have,” Poot said. “That’s why it is so painful to witness the outpouring of fear after ICE agents appeared outside village hall earlier this month.
“It didn’t just alarm undocumented folks. It shook the confidence of families, workers and longtime residents who suddenly questioned whether this village hall was a safe public space. Public safety depends on public trust,” she said.
Another speaker said the village continues to battle a negative reputation stemming from an ordinance passed in 2007 under which English was made the village’s official language. Repealing that rule was the first thing Skillman did after being elected village president.
Ten-year-old Gael Gutierrez told the board that “me and my friends are scared” by the ICE raids.
“We don’t want to go outside. There are so much moments where we have to stay inside our house because people are getting hurt,” he said.
Yolanda Gallardo said she’s been distraught by what’s happening, and was especially afraid when ICE agents were reportedly near her high school.
“Everyone around me was so scared,” Gallardo said. “Isn’t school supposed to be a safe space? How, how does this happen? … It’s so devastating seeing people suffer all around you.”
Moeller, who attended the meeting, said the board’s action shows that trustees are “listening to the people and responding to the real fear out there in the community. I think that’s incredibly important.”
“I’m proud of the leadership here. I’m proud of all the speakers who came out,” she said. “You could see how important this is to so many. This is part of our democratic process.”
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.