Pritzker: “I don’t support open borders”—but slams Trump’s immigration tactics

CHICAGO (WTVO) — Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said Tuesday that federal immigration laws should be enforced—but not in the way the Trump administration is gong about it.

“I do not support open borders,” Pritzker said during a discussion with The Economic Club of Chicago. “My objection is not having an immigration enforcement mechanism. My objection is the way they’re doing it. They are breaking all of the protocols and rules that normally apply to police in this country. And we just sitting back and allowing it to happen is not right.”

Pritzker’s remarks come as tensions between his administration and federal immigration authorities continue to rise.

While the governor has stated that he is all for deporting law breakers, he is in favor allowing undocumented immigrants who are not committing crimes to remain in the U.S.

Pritzker’s stance has clashed with federal officials, who claim “sanctuary” policies are responsible or upticks in crime.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem criticized Pritzker during a stop in Florida, accusing him of endangering Illinois residents by refusing to work with federal authorities.

“Governor Pritzker in Illinois is putting his people in danger every day by going against us and not working with us to make sure that we’re detaining individuals who have criminal charges against them or have been convicted, and then rereleasing them out on the streets,” Noem said.

Illinois law prohibits state and local law enforcement from assisting with federal civil immigration detention orders. A recent Cook County court ruling further restricted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from conducting enforcement actions at county courthouses—a move Pritzker praised.

“We may be able to make tweaks to the law to protect people better in the state,” Pritzker said. “Although, as you know, I think we’ve done a pretty good job of Trump-proofing the state as best we could.”

However, critics like State Rep. Patrick Sheehan, R-Homer Glen, argue that Illinois’ sanctuary policies are causing confusion among police.

“We’ve seen the misdirection. The Chicago Police Department and local law enforcement, they’re not sure what to do,” Sheehan said. “When you take away the instinct from a police officer, you’ve completely broken how law enforcement operates.”

Lawmakers are expected to return to Springfield next week for the final legislative session of the year, where further changes to immigration policy may be considered.