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Wednesday, February 12, 2025

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US sues NY state officials over immigration enforcement; NM's national monuments face new development threats from Trump; NC community colleges get 'boost' to bring more students to high-demand jobs; Trump's resignation plan for federal workers can move forward; Advocates push for program to decrease wildlife collisions in VA.

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Deregulation raises environmental and public health concerns, national monuments face potential risks, political neutrality in education sparks protests, and Tulsi Gabbard's confirmation fuels controversy.

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Rural America struggles with opioids and homelessness in unexpected ways, Colorado's Lariat Ditch could help spur local recreation, and book deliveries revive rural communities hit by Hurricane Helene.

Chicago’s sanctuary protections may end this week

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Tuesday, January 14, 2025   

A proposed amendment to strip Chicago of its sanctuary protections is scheduled to be voted on this week.

The change to the Welcome City Ordinance would allow Chicago police to work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to deport undocumented residents arrested for crimes related to gangs, drugs, prostitution, human trafficking and sex crimes involving minors.

Ed Yohnka, director of communications and public policy for the ACLU of Illinois, said the move could be illegal.

"Changing the ordinance would put the city of Chicago at odds with the state policy around the Illinois Trust Act, where that would then situate the state's largest city in terms of cooperating with ICE officials when other people are not permitted to."

State law prohibits Illinois law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration agents. The proposed amendment will be voted on at Wednesday's city council meeting.

Alders Ray Lopez and Silvana Tabares said they proposed the tweak to appease the incoming Trump administration and deter action against law-abiding noncitizens. Yohnka called the idea unsettling.

"Changing that now when you have an administration that speaks with such cruelty and ferocity about newcomers is, I think, especially corrosive and troubling," Yohnka added.

Other concerns he raised are the lack of due process and how the change would undermine public safety.

Both Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Gov. JB Pritzker have said they would protect noncitizen immigrants. Pritzker would make one exception, arguing felons should be evicted from the country.


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