Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson just signed the “ICE On Notice” executive order, which gives the Chicago Police Department (CPD) unprecedented power to investigate and document alleged illegal activity by federal immigration agents, as reported by Financial Express. This is a monumental step because Chicago is now the first US city to actively push its local law enforcement to pursue legal accountability for misconduct carried out by federal authorities.
This decision comes right as the actions of federal agents during the ongoing “Operation Midway Blitz” continue to generate controversy across the city. Nationally, the Department of Homeland Security has significantly ramped up the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol agents. While operations like Chicago’s “Midway Blitz” and the Twin Cities’ “Operation Metro Surge” claim to target “criminal illegal aliens,” the widespread arrests and raids have sparked massive protests.
Johnson’s Executive Order 2026-01 creates a clear framework designed to hold federal agents accountable if they violate state or local law while executing President Trump’s immigration crackdown operations in Chicago.
This push for accountability follows multiple alarming incidents
Mayor Johnson declared, “Nobody is above the law. There is no such thing as ‘absolute immunity’ in America.” He believes the actions of these federal agents are putting Chicagoans in danger. “The lawlessness of Trump’s militarised immigration agents puts the lives and well-being of every Chicagoan in immediate danger,” Johnson stated. “With today’s order, we are putting ICE on notice in our city. Chicago will not sit idly by while Trump floods federal agents into our communities and terrorizes our residents.”
The primary goal of the order is to prevent federal immigration operations from violating constitutionally protected rights or provoking dangerous, life-threatening confrontations. If federal authorities are suspected of illegal activity, the evidence of felony violations will be referred directly to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
This new procedure gives the CPD some serious authority. If they encounter or receive reports of apparent illegal activity by federal agents, CPD personnel are required to take several specific actions. They must document all federal enforcement activities and ensure that any body-camera footage, especially footage showing use of force, detentions, or injuries, is immediately preserved.
Furthermore, CPD officers must attempt to identify the federal supervisory officer on the scene, verify their name and badge number, and record that credential verification using their body-cameras, including any refusal by the federal agent to comply. Finally, they must complete a report on any violation of state or local law committed by federal agents and immediately summon emergency medical services for any injured person.
Unsurprisingly, the Department of Homeland Security is absolutely livid about the new order. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin immediately slammed the allegations of “criminal misconduct” in a fiery statement.
McLaughlin insisted, “These claims of criminal misconduct by ICE law enforcement are FALSE.” She stressed that under President Trump, ICE is held to the highest professional standards and officers receive ongoing training. She believes the officers deserve praise, saying, “America can be proud of the professionalism our officers bring the job day-in and day-out.”
Published: Feb 4, 2026 10:30 am