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Residents tell DuPage County Board ICE activity is harming kids; board keeps courthouse signage
Summary
Multiple residents described fear and trauma in schools stemming from increased ICE activity and urged the county to protect families; the board said it will keep signs stating immigration enforcement on county property requires a judicial warrant and noted pending state legislation expanding courthouse protections.
Dozens of residents addressed the DuPage County Board on Nov. 12, saying recent immigration enforcement activity near county facilities is producing fear and trauma among children and calling for stronger local protections.
Rebecca Gamboa, an elementary school teacher in Lombard, described students who "tell their teachers they are not sleeping because they need to stay awake in case someone comes for their parents," and she asked the board to create an ad hoc committee to coordinate mental-health services for students, families and educators affected by immigration enforcement.
Other commenters cited a reported Nov. 7 ICE detention near the courthouse. Terry Palmer, a resident of unincorporated West Chicago, said witnesses and media reported ICE detained a man near the courthouse "without showing a judicial warrant" and asked the board to align county policy with recently passed House Bill 1312, which prohibits civil immigration arrests near courthouses.
Maria Sinkuel defended the county’s newly posted signs that state immigration enforcement on county property requires a judicial warrant, saying the signs reflect existing Illinois law and the Trust Act and are an appropriate reminder of legal limits on local assistance to federal immigration actions.
In her chair remarks, Chair Conroy said the signs "are a pledge that people coming to our courthouse should not have to choose between justice and fear" and announced the signs will remain. Conroy also noted that the state law (House Bill 1312) had passed both chambers and will go to the governor.
Speakers asked for several follow-up items including clearer warrant-verification procedures for staff, formal reporting of ICE requests to county property, staff training, and an ad hoc committee to coordinate mental-health responses when federal enforcement actions disrupt families. Members said they would consider those requests and explore next steps in new business.
The public comment session reached its 30-minute allotment before the board moved on to its agenda; members later returned to broader discussions about food and shelter needs in new business.
