Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights meeting, April 14, 2026
- When: Tue, Apr 14, 2026, 10:15 AM (Chicago time)
- Where: 201A, 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=1183165801
- Transcript: full text (16,162 words, official 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 held a virtual hearing to approve the March 2026 Rule 45 report and to examine city contracts that intersect with federal immigration enforcement. Presenters from Just Futures Law, the ACLU, and the Office of Public Safety Administration explained how surveillance technologies and data-broker contracts may give ICE access to local data. Aldermen asked about vendor compliance, data-sharing agreements, and possible policy changes. The Rule 45 report was approved and the subject-matter hearing concluded with plans for further study.
Topics: Rule 45 approval, Police technology, surveillance and ICE data access, Virtual attendance (Rule 59), Vendor contracts and data-broker issues
Agenda items discussed
- 1:37 Motion to allow virtual attendance (Rule 59): passed
- 6:04 Approval of March 2026 Rule 45 report: passed
- 6:18 Subject-matter hearing on city contracts with federal immigration enforcement: discussed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Andre Vasquez Jr. (chair): Called the committee to order. (0:13); Accepted the motion for virtual attendance. (1:49); Thanked all speakers after public comment. (5:35)
- Michael D. Rodriguez (alderperson): Seconded the motion to allow virtual attendance. (1:49); Thanked the chair and noted the need for continued oversight of ICE-related data sharing. (1:00:11); Described how undocumented residents have been terrorized by federal enforcement. (1:00:33)
- Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez (alderperson): Moved the motion to permit virtual attendance. (1:49); Thanked the chair and emphasized the committee’s duty to protect residents from ICE surveillance. (1:00:15); Asked for clarification about the Clearview AI settlement and its relevance to city contracts. (1:01:25)
- Jessica L. Fuentes (alderperson): Addressed the chair and thanked Alderman Matthew J. Martin for bringing the ordinance. (1:47:04); Asked whether any vendors have violated data-privacy provisions in their contracts. (1:47:14); Requested a list of city vendors that also contract with ICE or Border Patrol. (1:47:39)
- Chris Taliaferro (alderperson): Inquired about vendors that have contracts with ICE or Border Patrol. (1:48:00)
- Anthony J. Quezada (alderperson): Moved to approve the Rule 45 report. (6:12); Asked whether the city sells data to data brokers that then sell to federal agencies. (57:40); Requested information on any contracts with LexisNexis. (58:20)
- Matthew J. Martin (alderperson): Opened the subject-matter hearing, thanking the chair and staff for the timely hearing. (8:36); Described community trauma from Operation Midway Blitz and raised concerns about ICE access to city-collected data. (8:54); Highlighted privacy concerns about personal identifying information being shared with ICE. (9:24)
Exchanges between members
- 1:36:41 Chair Andre Vasquez Jr. confirmed that Alderwoman Jeylú B. Gutiérrez was present for quorum.
- 1:00:11 Alderperson Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez thanked the chair for leadership and raised a question about ICE data sharing.
- 57:43 Alderperson Anthony J. Quezada asked the chair whether the city sells data to brokers that later sell to federal agencies.
- 1:46:46 Alderperson Chris Taliaferro asked the chair to be added to the quorum under Rule 59.
- 1:47:39 Alderperson Jessica L. Fuentes asked the chair if any vendors have violated data-privacy provisions in their contracts.
- 1:51:24 Alderperson Matthew J. Martin asked whether any vendor has requested permission to share city data with the federal government.