Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights meeting, June 11, 2026
- When: Thu, Jun 11, 2026, 10:15 AM (Chicago time)
- Where: City Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights
- Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8928487?video=1200250847
- Transcript: full text (17,462 words, automatic captions)
Meeting notes
AI-written from the transcript. Speakers are inferred from cues in the recording, so treat names as estimates and check the video at the linked time.
The Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights met on June 11, 2026 and approved the May 2026 Rule 45 report and a resolution supporting the preservation and expansion of DACA (R2026-0025433). The meeting featured extensive public testimony from community members and organizations highlighting the challenges faced by DACA recipients. The committee voted to recommend the DACA resolution to the full City Council and adjourned.
Topics: Rule 45 report approval, DACA support resolution, public testimony on immigrant and refugee rights
Agenda items discussed
- 58:57 Approval of May 2026 Rule 45 report: passed
- 59:15 Resolution R2026-0025433 supporting preservation and expansion of DACA (R2026-0025433): passed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Andre Vasquez Jr. (chair): Opened the meeting and called the committee to order. (29:44); Invited Alderperson Michael D. Rodriguez to ask any questions from the floor. (1:31:21); thanked subject-matter experts and moved to vote on the DACA resolution. (2:06:10)
- Pat Dowell (alderperson)
- Jeylú B. Gutiérrez (alderperson): Introduced the DACA resolution together with the chair. (29:57); Spoke about the importance of the DACA resolution and urged colleagues to support it. (1:02:19); Moved to pass the DACA resolution. (2:06:18)
- Timothy R. Knudsen (alderperson)
- Michael D. Rodriguez (alderperson): Moved to allow Alderperson Jeylú B. Gutiérrez to attend the hearing virtually. (58:51); Moved to approve the Rule 45 report. (59:06); Was asked by the chair if he had any questions for the committee. (1:31:21)
- Jessica L. Fuentes (alderperson)
- Chris Taliaferro (alderperson)
- Ruth Cruz (alderperson)
- Felix Cardona Jr. (alderperson)
- Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez (alderperson): Delivered extensive testimony sharing personal experiences as an immigrant and organizer. (1:38:16); Asked the committee what elected officials should be doing to support the community. (1:44:13); Was asked by Gabby Pacheco about internship opportunities for Dreamers. (2:00:55)
- Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (alderperson)
- Maria E. Hadden (alderperson)
- Jeanette B. Taylor (alderperson)
Exchanges between members
- 1:02:11 Chair Andre Vasquez Jr. asked Alderwoman Jeylú B. Gutiérrez for any remarks.
- 1:31:21 Chair Andre Vasquez Jr. invited Alderperson Michael D. Rodriguez to pose any questions.
- 2:00:55 Alderwoman Jeylú B. Gutiérrez (as Gabby Pacheco) asked Alderwoman Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez about internship opportunities.