# Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights meeting, October 15, 2025

- When: Wed, Oct 15, 2025, 12:00 PM (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](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/immigrant-and-refugee-rights)
- Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8928487?video=1127270480
- Transcript: [full text](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/transcripts/1127270480.txt) (14,194 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 approved its September 2025 Rule 45 report and considered three resolutions concerning federal immigration enforcement in Chicago. After public comment, the committee heard from representatives of Latino Union of Chicago, the Metropolitan Peace Initiatives, and CAIR Chicago, followed by remarks from the resolutions' sponsors. The resolutions called on the Illinois congressional delegation to investigate potential misconduct by the Department of Homeland Security, condemned enforcement practices that endanger children, and expressed support for immigrant communities and opposition to a military presence in Chicago. All three resolutions, two of them as substitutes, were approved by voice vote and recommended for passage at the October 16, 2025 City Council meeting.

Topics: federal immigration enforcement, ICE misconduct, child endangerment, military presence in Chicago, community violence intervention, day laborers and safe hiring sites, due process, Rule 45 report, public comment

### Agenda items discussed

- [38:56](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/B352778D-69A5-F011-B41B-001DD802EE8D?t=2336) Approval of the September 2025 Rule 45 report: passed
- [39:27](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/B352778D-69A5-F011-B41B-001DD802EE8D?t=2367) Resolution calling on the Illinois congressional delegation to investigate potential misconduct by the Department of Homeland Security and deputized agents operating in Chicago (R2025-0019961): passed
- [39:46](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/B352778D-69A5-F011-B41B-001DD802EE8D?t=2386) Resolution condemning federal immigration enforcement practices that endanger children, urging resident reporting of enforcement misconduct, and calling for federal and state action (substitute): passed
- [40:03](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/B352778D-69A5-F011-B41B-001DD802EE8D?t=2403) Resolution supporting immigrant communities, racial justice and constitutional freedoms and opposing military presence in Chicago (substitute): passed

### Alderpersons who spoke

- [Andre Vasquez Jr.](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/40) (chair): Opened discussion of the resolutions by describing recent federal immigration enforcement actions in Chicago, including detentions without warrants, a South Shore apartment raid, and the detention of Alderperson Jessica L. Fuentes. ([40:27](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/B352778D-69A5-F011-B41B-001DD802EE8D?t=2427)); Disputed a public comment claim about immigrants and crime, stating that immigrants are less likely to commit crimes and more likely to be victims. ([44:32](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/B352778D-69A5-F011-B41B-001DD802EE8D?t=2672)); Said local governments should use every available tool to hold ICE and DHS accountable and introduced the invited speakers. ([44:46](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/B352778D-69A5-F011-B41B-001DD802EE8D?t=2686))
- [Michael D. Rodriguez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/22) (alderperson): Said he would move to accept a substitute for his resolution at the appropriate time. ([1:03:41](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/B352778D-69A5-F011-B41B-001DD802EE8D?t=3821)); Asked Vaughn Bryant about declines in violence in Chicago before the current federal administration and his views on a military presence in the city. ([1:04:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/B352778D-69A5-F011-B41B-001DD802EE8D?t=3849)); Said he and Alderperson Jeylú B. Gutiérrez submitted the resolution affirming support for immigrant communities and rejecting military occupation, arguing military force for civilian law enforcement is unconstitutional. ([1:06:23](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/B352778D-69A5-F011-B41B-001DD802EE8D?t=3983))
- [Byron Sigcho-López](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/25) (alderperson): Described effects of federal enforcement actions on his Pilsen community and said federal agents were defying federal court rulings on the use of force. ([1:11:46](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/B352778D-69A5-F011-B41B-001DD802EE8D?t=4306)); Said the city should codify due process and stated that every person is entitled to due process regardless of immigration status. ([1:13:41](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/B352778D-69A5-F011-B41B-001DD802EE8D?t=4421)); Called for investigating connections between the South Shore building's landlord and the federal administration. ([1:14:40](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/B352778D-69A5-F011-B41B-001DD802EE8D?t=4480))
- [Anthony J. Quezada](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/35) (alderperson): Spoke about his family's mixed immigration status and concern for residents in his community. ([1:27:09](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/B352778D-69A5-F011-B41B-001DD802EE8D?t=5229)); Asked Ahmed Rahab about legal precedent for holding federal agents accountable under state law given supremacy clause immunity. ([1:27:25](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/B352778D-69A5-F011-B41B-001DD802EE8D?t=5245)); Noted that a federal funding bill includes $170 billion for immigration enforcement and detention over four years and said it creates a militarized domestic force. ([1:30:27](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/B352778D-69A5-F011-B41B-001DD802EE8D?t=5427))

### Exchanges between members

- [1:03:35](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/B352778D-69A5-F011-B41B-001DD802EE8D?t=3815) The chair recognized Alderperson Michael D. Rodriguez to speak on his resolution.
- [1:03:41](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/B352778D-69A5-F011-B41B-001DD802EE8D?t=3821) Alderperson Michael D. Rodriguez thanked the chair and said he would move to accept the substitute whenever the chair was ready.
- [1:11:32](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/B352778D-69A5-F011-B41B-001DD802EE8D?t=4292) The chair recognized Alderperson Byron Sigcho-López.
- [1:11:41](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/B352778D-69A5-F011-B41B-001DD802EE8D?t=4301) Alderperson Byron Sigcho-López thanked Chairman Andre Vasquez Jr..
- [1:26:51](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/B352778D-69A5-F011-B41B-001DD802EE8D?t=5211) The chair recognized Alderperson Anthony J. Quezada.
- [1:27:01](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/B352778D-69A5-F011-B41B-001DD802EE8D?t=5221) Alderperson Anthony J. Quezada thanked the chairman.

## Documents

- [Notice](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/9a39d512-6aa5-f011-b41b-001dd802ee8d.pdf)
- [Notice](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/ef4d556e-ae4e-4de3-96c8-ff8be058b110.pdf)
- [Agenda](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/d24c33b7-eda5-f011-b41b-001dd8087a81.pdf)
- [Monthly Rule 45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/aa6811d1-2644-4ba1-856e-983ddf5ddb0a.pdf)
- [Summary](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/a3b4dd49-201b-40db-a936-b67da0fef9e5.pdf)

---
Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/B352778D-69A5-F011-B41B-001DD802EE8D · Chicago Politics, an independent, nonpartisan tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt