Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights meeting, May 18, 2026
- When: Mon, May 18, 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/1192049290
- Transcript: full text (8,877 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 with two agenda items: approval of the April 2026 Rule 45 report and a resolution commending the Mexican Heritage Day Association's call to declare February 2nd as Mexican American Heritage Day, sponsored by Alderperson Byron Sigcho-López members of the public spoke during public comment, with some opposing the resolution and immigration-related spending and others supporting the resolution or describing community services and the impact of immigration enforcement. The Rule 45 report was approved, and a substitute resolution was accepted for consideration. The sponsor, three invited presenters, and Alderpersons Gutiérrez, Quezada and Fuentes spoke in support of recognizing February 2nd, the date of the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The resolution passed on a voice vote and was to be reported as a recommendation to pass at the May 20, 2026 City Council meeting.
Topics: Mexican American Heritage Day, Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, immigrant contributions, immigration enforcement, public comment, Rule 45 report, Latino history in schools
Agenda items discussed
- 1:03:08 Approval of the April 2026 Rule 45 report: passed
- 1:03:23 Resolution commending the Mexican Heritage Day Association for its efforts to call for February 2nd to be declared Mexican American Heritage Day (substitute): passed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Andre Vasquez Jr. (chair): Stated that going forward, anyone who does not sign in on the slips on time will not be allowed to speak during public comment. (48:04); Spoke about the contributions of many populations to the nation's history and said it is important to support efforts recognizing Mexican American heritage. (1:03:58); Provided an English paraphrase of the remarks made in Spanish by the Mexican federal deputy. (1:28:29)
- Byron Sigcho-López (alderperson): Introduced the resolution, citing that one in five Chicago residents report Mexican or Mexican American descent and describing the community's contributions to the city. (1:06:12); Explained the significance of February 2, 1848, the date of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, and expressed concern about the current treatment of immigrants. (1:09:02); Said he looks forward to working with committee members to get books on this history into schools. (1:10:18)
- Jeylú B. Gutiérrez (alderperson): Said she co-sponsored the resolution to honor the many cultures and immigrants in the country and noted her ward also has many Polish residents whose culture she supports recognizing. (1:21:52); Said the resolution helps teach youth the history of February 2nd and that families also have a responsibility to teach that history at home. (1:23:10)
- Anthony J. Quezada (alderperson): Responded to public comments by citing 2023 figures on taxes paid, spending power, rent and housing wealth of immigrant and undocumented households. (1:30:34); Said the resolution is important for recognizing shared history and thanked the sponsor for bringing it forward. (1:32:00); Pointed to the government of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum as a model he believes the United States should look to. (1:33:31)
- Jessica L. Fuentes (alderperson): Added to Alderperson Anthony J. Quezada points that the economy depends on the labor of Mexican Americans and immigrants. (1:34:23); Described February 2nd as an acknowledgment of the Mexican community and of the history of imperialism, and stated support for the resolution. (1:35:47)
Exchanges between members
- 1:06:12 Alderperson Byron Sigcho-López thanked Chair Andre Vasquez Jr. and committee members before presenting his resolution.
- 1:22:18 Alderperson Jeylú B. Gutiérrez thanked Alderperson Byron Sigcho-López for bringing the resolution forward.
- 1:32:04 Alderperson Anthony J. Quezada thanked Alderperson Byron Sigcho-López for bringing the resolution forward.
- 1:34:23 Alderperson Jessica L. Fuentes added to Alderperson Anthony J. Quezada points about immigrant contributions to the economy.
- 1:37:02 Alderperson Jessica L. Fuentes thanked Alderperson Byron Sigcho-López for putting the resolution forward.