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The Illinois Senate Executive Committee took an important step today toward making our state safer for immigrants and their families. The TRUST Act (SB-31), filed by Senate President Cullerton, passed through the committee with 11 members voting in favor, five voting present, and no opposing votes. The bill creates a bright line between local police and federal immigration agents, and sends a message to Illinois’ immigrant residents that seeking police assistance will not result in their deportation.

The bill is a rebuke to the Trump administration’s xenophobic federal immigration policies that waste local law enforcement resources and create distrust between communities and local police. Representatives from immigrant, refugee, labor and domestic violence organizations spoke at the noon hearing today on key issues in the bill.

The TRUST Act’s main provisions will:

  • Bar federal agents from schools and health facilities if they do not have a warrant,
  • Bar local law enforcement from engaging in immigration enforcement without a court-issued warrant,
  • Assist immigrant crime victims seeking legal protection, and
  • Bar local participation in a federal registry based on country of origin or religion

“This is a major step forward for our coalition leaders, who have worked tirelessly on our Campaign for a Welcoming Illinois.” said Lawrence Benito, chief executive officer at Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, one of the lead sponsors of the TRUST Act. “There is an immediate need for our elected officials to listen to our leaders and take action at the state level to keep communities safe and protected from these vicious threats and attacks on our rights.”

“We must all work together to help make our communities safer for everyone,” said Trisha Teofilo Olave, senior legal supervisor at Chicago’s National Immigrant Justice Center, who testified at the hearing. “The TRUST Act would standardize the U visa certification process to create consistency for immigrant victims of crime and demystify the process for law enforcement agencies. It would help law enforcement comply with federal law, while also enhancing community trust and public safety.”

“Our communities are living in fear and facing threats to their livelihoods every day,” said Andy Kang, legal director at Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago. “Illinois has the potential to be the most welcoming state for immigrants and refugees. Passing the TRUST Act would be a move in the direction of protecting our communities, and making sure they are safe.”

The bill is expected to reach the Senate floor soon. A broad coalition of community organizations are planning actions and scheduling in-district meetings during the upcoming spring legislative recess, to ensure the Illinois TRUST Act is passed through both the Illinois senate and the house this spring.

Organizations sponsoring the bill include:

Arab American Family Services, Asian Americans Advancing Justice |Chicago, Centro Trabajadores Unidos, Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women’s Network, Hana Center, Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Latino Policy Forum, Mujeres Latinas En Accion, National Immigrant Justice Center, PASO West Suburban Action Project, Southwest Suburban Immigrant Project, and SEIU HCII.