Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has come forward to defend a recent executive order intended to hold federal immigration officers accountable for any misconduct during their duties. This move has sparked considerable discussion regarding its implications and necessity.
However, Johnson has not committed to advocating for police intervention in any prominent cases. He maintains that it is not his role to direct the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office on how to handle investigations that may arise from police actions.
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State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neil Burke is currently assessing the legal standing of the executive order. A former high-ranking prosecutor has expressed skepticism, describing the order as redundant.
Operation “Midway Blitz,” spearheaded by the Department of Homeland Security in the Chicago area, has brought immigration enforcement tactics into the spotlight. These methods have faced criticism for being overly aggressive and, at times, potentially unlawful.
The executive order mandates that Chicago police not only document but also investigate any misconduct by federal immigration agents, raising questions about its practical impact.
“If an ICE agent were to commit an offense, such as an improper shooting, Chicago police have full jurisdiction to investigate,” stated Bob Milan, a former First Deputy State’s Attorney for Cook County. “They can proceed to file charges with the state attorney’s office for approval. Essentially, this order seems to be much ado about nothing.”
Johnson defended the executive order on Tuesday. He referenced the case involving Marimar Martinez, who Border Patrol agents shot five times last fall.
Now, Martinez’ attorneys want the evidence released publicly to clear her name. The mayor on Tuesday would not call for police to investigate that case or any other.
“What we are looking to do is to continue to work with all stakeholders so that we can meet the expectations of the people of Chicago, who are justifiably demanding accountability for what they viewed as reckless and lawless actions by the Trump administration in our city,” Johnson said.
Johnson said he was not trying to tell the Cook County State’s Attorney what to do.
“Like any other case, the state’s attorney has their jurisdiction to decide if they’re going to move forward with prosecution. But that’s the autonomy that the state’s attorney has,” Johnson said.
One leading alderman raised questions about the mayor’s underlying motive behind the executive order.
“The politics of this volatile political situation have cast a shadow over every decision that we’re all making right now. It’s impossible to ignore that, and I do think the mayor made his announcement and crafted that executive order for largely political reasons,” said Public Safety Committee Chairman Ald. Brian Hopkins.
Hopkins called the executive order superfluous, akin, he said to wearing a belt and suspenders. Johnson says there is a 30-day window where his administration will work through the details of how the executive order would be implemented.
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