Chicago’s Democratic Mayor Brandon Johnson has dropped a stunning ultimatum, declaring war on federal immigration enforcement with a bold threat to have local police arrest ICE officers.
On Saturday, Mayor Johnson issued a warning to federal agents, stating that he intends to direct the Chicago Police Department (CPD) to apprehend ICE officers if he believes they are violating the law. He signed an executive order instructing CPD to investigate alleged misconduct by ICE agents and to pursue criminal referrals. According to a City Hall press release, this order establishes a framework for accountability when federal agents are perceived to break local or state laws while operating within city limits.
Many are questioning whether a city mayor can or should challenge federal authority in such a direct manner.
Johnson’s stance is seen by critics as a dangerous overreach, potentially setting a precedent for local governments to undermine national security efforts.
Johnson’s executive order specifically tasks CPD supervisors with preserving evidence of alleged illegal actions by ICE agents. At the direction of the Mayor’s Office, felony matters are to be referred to the Cook County State's Attorney. The mayor has also accused ICE officers of trampling on constitutionally protected rights like free speech and protest.
“Nobody is above the law. There is no such thing as ‘absolute immunity’ in America,” Johnson declared, framing his actions as a defense of justice. His rhetoric paints a picture of federal agents as rogue actors, a narrative that many find reckless given the complexities of immigration enforcement.
The Chicago police union, led by Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara Jr., has come out swinging against the mayor’s plan. Catanzara dismissed the executive order as a “piece of toilet paper,” signaling deep disdain for what he sees as political grandstanding. He pointed out language in the order stating that no CPD member is required to arrest federal agents, which he views as a hollow gesture.
Catanzara didn’t hold back, accusing the mayor’s office and legal team of gross incompetence. He argued that Johnson’s administration is clueless about the legal realities of immigration, noting that illegal entry is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail, with repeat offenses escalating to felonies. This, he contends, undercuts the mayor’s claim that most immigration matters are merely civil.
Beyond legal nitpicking, Catanzara raised alarms about CPD officers being forced to take reports from civilians alleging ICE wrongdoing. He called the idea “concerning,” especially when such complaints could come from activists with political agendas. He warned that citizens themselves could be guilty parties trying to deflect blame onto federal agents for their own gain.
While Johnson focuses on battling ICE, Chicago’s streets tell a grimmer story. In 2025 alone, the city recorded 362 people shot and killed, with a total of 1,954 shots. Just in the first month of this year, 28 were killed and 131 shot, numbers that dwarf the attention given to federal immigration disputes.
Critics argue that Johnson’s obsession with ICE distracts from the real crisis of violence plaguing Chicagoans. Why prioritize a showdown with federal agents when bullets are flying in neighborhoods? This misplacement of focus is seen as emblematic of a leadership more interested in ideological battles than public safety.
Johnson’s history with ICE shows this isn’t a one-off stunt. Back in October, he signed an order creating so-called “ICE-free zones” to hinder immigration arrests in the city. Such moves signal a broader agenda to obstruct federal enforcement, raising questions about where local loyalty to national law begins and ends.
The clash between Johnson and ICE is a microcosm of a larger struggle over who controls America’s borders—local politicians or the federal government. Many fear this could embolden other sanctuary cities to follow suit, creating a patchwork of resistance that undermines uniform immigration policy.
For now, Johnson’s executive order stands as a challenge to federal authority, but its practical impact remains unclear. Will CPD officers actually confront ICE agents, or is this just political theater? The answer may hinge on how far the mayor is willing to push this fight.
One thing is certain: Chicago’s already strained relationship with federal law enforcement isn’t getting any warmer. As crime statistics loom large, the public may grow weary of leadership that seems more fixated on scoring points against ICE than addressing the bloodshed at home. This saga is far from over, and the nation is watching.
