Press Release

Statement from Members of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) on Follow Up to January 8 Special Meeting

Date:

January 16, 2026

On Thursday, January 8, the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) held a special meeting after District Councilors submitted petitions with more than 2,000 signatures calling for a hearing to publicly raise concerns about potential collaboration between the Chicago Police Department (CPD) and federal immigration enforcement officials, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).   Chicago’s Welcoming City Ordinance and CPD policy prohibit CPD from assisting ICE or CBP with civil immigration enforcement. However, CPD may respond and take action when there are public safety concerns or alleged violations of Illinois or Chicago Law.    Nearly 1,500 people joined the meeting, in person at Thalia Hall and online. Commissioners would like to thank community members who attended and especially the more than 50 individuals who provided public comment. Many speakers shared testimony expressing fear, anger, and uncertainty about how CPD interactions during immigration enforcement activity affect public safety and trust in law enforcement.    The CCPSA oversees the Chicago Police Department, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), and the Police Board. Because of this role, the Commission has been engaged on the issue of CPD and federal immigration enforcement interactions since June 2025, when questions first arose publicly about CPD’s role in immigration-related operations.    Since then, the Commission has taken steps to better understand the issue and respond to community concerns. CPD leadership has appeared before the Commission to explain department policies that govern interactions with federal immigration authorities, and the Commission has raised questions about transparency, compliance with the Welcoming City Ordinance, and how policies are applied in practice. The Commission also invited the Mayor’s Office of Community Safety to a public meeting to present the City’s planning for potential increase in federal activity. The January 8 meeting built on that work by centering community voices and creating a public record of residents’ experiences and concerns.     At the January 8 meeting, speakers repeatedly raised allegations and concerns. These included claims that CPD officers have assisted, coordinated with, or otherwise facilitated ICE activity; established perimeters that enabled immigration enforcement; stopped cars whose drivers were protesting but not breaking the law; and used excessive force on people who were protesting enforcement actions. Some speakers said that police actions taken during ICE activity, while framed as public safety measures— effectively enable violence by ICE and CBP against Chicago residents, and called on CPD to protect residents from ICE- and CBP-related harm. Speakers also raised concerns about the lack of clarity around existing policies related to CPD interactions with ICE and CBP, as well as the lack of accountability when violations of those policies are alleged.   The timing of this meeting is important. Community members described a moment in which trust in institutions feels fragile and the lines between local policing and federal immigration enforcement feel increasingly blurred. With federal officials signaling that immigration activity in Chicago could increase significantly as early as March, many residents expressed fear and uncertainty about what this could mean for their safety and their communities.   In response, the Commission is taking the following next steps:    Formal Information Requests   The Commission will issue formal information requests to CPD seeking detailed information about policies, training, documentation, and compliance related to interactions with federal immigration authorities. This includes guidance on public safety responses occurring in proximity to immigration enforcement activity, use of City resources, traffic enforcement practices, perimeter establishment, and reporting requirements. The Commission will review this information to assess whether existing policies are appropriate and clearly defined and will consider whether additional action is warranted based on that review.  Clarification of Investigative Authority   The Commission will work with City partners to clarify which body has authority to investigate alleged violations of the Welcoming City Ordinance and related CPD directives. Currently, COPA is not investigating these complaints due to unresolved questions about its jurisdiction. They can be handled by CPD’s Bureau of Internal Affairs and the Office of Inspector General. If expanding COPA’s authority is necessary, City Council action would be required. Resolving this issue is essential, and the Commission is prepared to work with stakeholders to bring about a clear and decisive resolution and to recommend that the appropriate body conducts these investigations.   Continued Public Engagement   At its monthly public meeting on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at Kennedy- King College, the Commission will continue this discussion.    At the Jan 8 meeting, the Commission heard clearly that many Chicagoans want a public hearing that provides real answers and leads to real action.  In response, we will work with the District Council petition organizers who called for the meeting as we plan the February meeting and to continue receiving information about the nature and impact of policing activities when immigration enforcement is happening on the ground across the city.    The Commission will also work to ensure that key stakeholders like the CPD Superintendent, COPA Chief Administrator, and Inspector General participate in the meeting to help ensure that appropriate accountability mechanisms are in place. The Commission remains committed to transparency, accountability, and continued engagement with the public. That is why this meeting mattered and why it will not be the last opportunity for the public to be heard on this issue.      Undersigned,   Remel Terry, President Angel Rubi Navarijo, Vice President Aaron Gottlieb, Commissioner Abierre Minor, Commissioner Anthony Driver Jr., Commissioner Gina Piemonte, Commissioner