CHICAGO — House Speaker Mike Johnson escalated tensions with local leadership this week by publicly accusing Mayor Brandon Johnson of standing “on the wrong side of the law” for resisting federal immigration enforcement in Chicago.
During an appearance Wednesday on Fox News’ “America’s Newsroom,” Speaker Johnson criticized the city’s approach to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, calling them essential to removing “dangerous criminal illegal aliens” from the country.
“They [ICE agents] are doing everything they can, a patriotic duty,” Johnson said. “They are understaffed, overwhelmed with the workload… and the mayor of Chicago thinks it’s an ill-conceived mission — that’s madness.”
Federal Enforcement vs. City Policy
The remarks come amid growing friction between federal immigration policy under former President Donald Trump and city leaders in Chicago and Springfield. Both Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Johnson have spoken out against the renewed ICE operations.
“We will continue to resist,” Mayor Johnson said this week. “Whether it’s in the courts, in the streets, or through public policy, we’re going to stand up for working people.”
Illinois Governor Pritzker echoed that sentiment, warning about the use of other federal law enforcement alongside ICE. “They’re going after people who frankly are paying taxes, they’re law-abiding, and they’ve been here for many, many years,” Pritzker said.
Since August 2022, over 51,000 undocumented immigrants have arrived in Chicago from the southern U.S. border, making immigration policy a central issue for city operations, shelter management, and budget allocation.
Speaker Johnson Promotes Immigration Funding Bill
While speaking about his recent visit to a Chicago-area ICE facility, Johnson emphasized the need for greater resources and legislative support for immigration enforcement.
He referenced a recently passed House measure known as Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” which would extend the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act while also boosting border and defense funding.
Details of Johnson’s statements were covered in FOX 32 Chicago’s report, which noted that the legislation proposes annual $10,000 bonuses for ICE and Border Patrol agents over four years.
“The border is secured… but the enforcement and removal of the dangerous people who got here is an essential task,” Johnson added. “They need more personnel, they need more facilities. We’re here to see it.”
Do you support Chicago’s approach to immigration enforcement, or do you agree with Speaker Johnson’s call for stronger federal action? Share your views at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
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