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Residents urge Berwyn to join regional ‘sanctuary alliance’ as ICE actions escalate
Summary
Public commenters at the June 10 Berwyn City Council meeting urged city leaders to coordinate with neighboring sanctuary jurisdictions after recent ICE arrests; an alderman said he has begun contacting officials in other listed cities to open dialogue.
Daniel, a Berwyn resident, told the City Council on June 10 that recent arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement have created a “crisis” for immigrants and called for local action. “Last Wednesday, they kidnapped 10 people straight from their hearings,” Daniel said during the public-comment portion of the meeting.
Dave Peterson, a longtime Berwyn resident, expanded on that appeal, urging the council to declare an emergency and form a coordinated regional response. “The city of Burwin [Berwyn] must acknowledge the current constitutional crisis and declare an emergency,” Peterson said, asserting that recent federal actions have violated the Illinois Trust Act and the U.S. Constitution.
Why it matters: Speakers said the federal activity has put local residents at risk and argued that a formal local response or a multi-city “sanctuary alliance” could help coordinate legal, logistical and advocacy steps among neighboring jurisdictions named on a White House list.
Council response: Alderman Pablo Pabon told the council and the public that he has reached out to elected officials in other nearby sanctuary jurisdictions to begin conversations about mutual support and coordination. “So if we do need to be in solidarity and be aligned with each other … I’d love to work with you on that,” Pabon said, offering to help facilitate contacts and information-sharing.
Discussion vs. action: The council did not take a formal vote or adopt any ordinance, emergency declaration, or binding directive at the meeting. Speakers requested that the city convene or join an alliance and hold an open forum; Pabon’s outreach represents staff-level or member-to-member coordination rather than a formal city commitment.
What was claimed: Commenters referenced enforcement actions in Chicago and Los Angeles, a White House list that named Berwyn among other jurisdictions, and litigation alleging unlawful arrests (speakers did not provide court documents at the meeting). The transcript includes statements that 22 individuals sued the Trump administration in March 2025 and that one person was taken after buying pizza in Berwyn; those claims were presented by commenters and not introduced as verified facts by city staff at this meeting.
Next steps: Alderman Pabon offered to continue informal outreach with officials in other jurisdictions. No follow-up vote, staff assignment, or timetable for a joint statement or formal alliance was recorded on the council agenda.
