The Elgin City Council is considering the creation of “ICE-free” zones that would prevent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from using city property for detentions and other purposes.
But council members want to ensure that the public understands what the city legally can and cannot do before any ordinance is approved, they said at Wednesday night’s council meeting.
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“We need to do something to show our community that we support them and to stand up to what’s happening right now,” Councilwoman Tish Powell said. “We can’t just lay down and continue to let this stuff happen.”
Councilman John Steffen said, “I would be in support of the broadest ordinance we could possibly pass.”
Both council members asked for the ordinance discussion at Wednesday’s meeting, but also cautioned that the public must be made aware of the city’s limitations.
ICE-free zones would only apply city-owned property, Steffen said. It would not apply to libraries, schools or any other public property controlled by other government entities, Powell said.
The ordinance also would not prevent agencies from coming into the city, Steffen said.
“It’s just something we can do with some of the properties that are city-owned,” he said.
Councilman Corey Dixon suggested creating an ordinance that is written in a way that other governmental bodies could “opt in” and adopt it themselves. Overlapping governments, like the Gail Borden Public Library, Elgin Township and Kane County, could each participate in an intergovernmental agreement to create a larger area of ICE-free zones, he said.
“We want something that’s going to be effective, but we want to do everything within our power and not pull back,” Dixon said. He views ICE-free zones as part of a “larger web of resistance” happening around the country, he said.
City Attorney Christopher Beck was directed to research a resolution or ordinance that could be similar to those approved in other areas.
Councilman Anthony Ortiz said he believes the council needs to be very deliberate in how it goes about adopting the measure.
“This really gives me a lot of anxiety. We really need to do a good job of educating our community on what this does and doesn’t do,” Ortiz said. “(It needs to be) something that is meaningful, enforceable and actually protects our community.”
Some communities, he said, are implementing the ordinance merely as a compliance measure. “(But) in the city of Elgin, we’ve always done things that are meaningful and help our community,” he said.
Immigration attorney Marlen Romero, who works with Centro de Informacion, was among the meeting speakers who supported an ordinance. She said it should focus on areas to which it is important for people to have access.
Her clients are afraid of “basically just living their lives,” Romero said. “There are people who are afraid to go, say, to the food pantry because they are afraid to leave their homes.”
Families need to feel protected, she said. “They need to be able to know they can live their lives. The city council should consider it when going over the ICE-free zone regulations.”
The Rev. Thea Kornelius, head pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Elgin and an immigrant from South Africa, spoke on behalf of Elgin’s religious community.
“Theologically speaking, this is not a political issue. This is a moral and human issue for us,” Kornelius said.
“I don’t have to be afraid to go on the streets because I am white. What does that say? That I don’t have to be afraid but so many do?” Kornelius said. “What ICE is doing is not human or humane or Christian or religious-like in any way, shape or form. Please stop them from using our public space to harm our community.”
Council members took two actions Wednesday aimed at Elgin’s immigrant community. They tentatively changed hiring qualifications for the Elgin Fire Department so Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) residents can be hired and invited the Elgin Area Immigrant Alliance to share a Know Your Rights presentation at a future council meeting.
Romero said it’s traumatic to be stopped by ICE agents, and people may forget their rights (when confronted). It’s important to repeat the information to the community by holding presentations, putting up signs and handing out pamphlets, she said.
Councilwoman Diana Alfaro said the Know Your Rights presentation is good for everyone given that ICE has detained citizens too.
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“An informed community is an empowered community,” Alfaro said.
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.