Crime and Law
Oversight Board Presses Chicago Police on Federal Immigration Raids Response
WTTW News Senior Reporter Heather Cherone will discuss the recent developments on “Chicago Tonight” scheduled for April 2, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. ahead of the Community Commission on Public Safety and Accountability meeting at Kelly High School in Brighton Park.
The Chicago Police Oversight Board is scrutinizing the actions of the Chicago Police Department as it seeks answers regarding their inaction during aggressive federal immigration raids across the city. Lieutenant Larry Snelling addressed these concerns during a special meeting on Thursday, where he highlighted why CPD didn’t do more to intervene when federal agents launched intensive operations targeting immigrants.
This gathering at Kelley High School marks a crucial moment for the oversight committee, which had previously requested Snelling’s presence to discuss CPD’s response to aggressive immigration enforcement initiated by the Trump administration, aimed at executing one of the largest deportation campaigns in U.S. history.
Snelling emphasized that CPD officers adhered to the Welcoming City Ordinance while simultaneously ensuring public safety amid confrontations with heavily armed federal agents. “Officers showed up to quell the violence,” he assured the audience in a nearly filled auditorium.
However, Snelling openly acknowledged the challenges faced by CPD in confronting the Trump administration’s directive to dispatch hundreds of federal officers to Chicago with aggressive detainment orders. “No ordinance or law was crafted with such aggressive immigration enforcement in mind,” he stated, reflecting the unprecedented nature of the situation.
Specifically addressing the incident on October 4, when federal agents shot Marimar Martinez five times, Snelling defended the police’s role in the chaotic environment. The incident ignited protests near the shooting site, during which federal agents deployed tear gas and pepper balls, resulting in injuries for 27 officers.
Snelling insisted that the actions of CPD officers ultimately protected the community from further violence, asserting, “If our officers had been involved in collaboration, they wouldn’t have been able to protect the people in that neighborhood.” However, he also remarked that federal agents’ enforcement of immigration policy would go unchallenged by local police, urging residents to abstain from obstructing these operations, leaving many questioning the effectiveness of local oversight.
The aftermath of the shooting has raised significant concerns, especially given that no apparent investigation was launched by the Chicago Police Department. The audience’s discontent was palpable, with members expressing their frustrations toward Snelling, holding signs that implored CPD to cease cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The tension culminated in chants equating CPD with ICE before authorities dispersed the protest leaders from the auditorium.
In response to the intensifying scrutiny, Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order on January 31 designed to lay the groundwork for prosecuting ICE and Border Patrol agents for any criminal conduct. This directive mandates that law enforcement officials formulate a policy requiring documentation of potential misconduct by federal immigration agents within 30 days. However, during a March 26 press conference, Johnson indicated that a new policy may not be necessary despite the background of the executive order.
While targeted immigration enforcement persists in the city and surrounding suburbs, federal agents have notably maintained a low profile since late December, with city officials preparing for increased enforcement as weather conditions improve. The Cook County State’s Attorney, Eileen O’Neal Burke, critiqued Johnson’s executive order as “totally inappropriate” while implementing protocols allowing federal officers to face scrutiny over their use of force. Nonetheless, a coalition of community activists has challenged Burke, advocating for accountability through a Cook County judge to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate federal immigration practices.
The chairman of the oversight committee, Lemel Terry, expressed regret for timing the meeting just before significant Jewish and Christian holidays, asserting the need for an urgent dialogue. Snelling reaffirmed his commitment to public safety, stating the challenge of shifting priorities on such short notice, highlighting the perpetual strain placed upon CPD in navigating these critical issues.
