The Arlington Heights Village Board unanimously passed an ordinance on Dec. 1 that prohibits the use of village‑owned, operated or leased property for civil immigration enforcement, except for public rights-of-way.

Village Manager Rekhlais said staff issued an interim policy in early November and drafted the ordinance at the board’s request. The ordinance prohibits using village property to facilitate civil immigration enforcement and establishes a documentation-based enforcement path: local law enforcement would record and document any federal enforcement activity on village property (including body‑worn camera recordings) and the board could consider legal action if warranted. Staff emphasized legal limits on what municipalities can do against federal agencies and described the ordinance primarily as a statement of local expectations and a tool to preserve the village’s rights.

Trustees expressed unanimous support for the ordinance but also cautioned residents that local authority is limited: the board and staff urged education and clear communication so residents do not develop a false sense of security about local protections against federal action.

Public testimony was extensive and varied: multiple residents described direct or community experiences with ICE activity and urged the village to adopt stronger local protections; others urged the board to pursue additional, locally enforceable provisions (for example, prohibiting local officials from acting as federal immigration officers or restricting employers’ cooperation) and to coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions for broader change. A smaller set of speakers defended federal immigration enforcement as necessary for public safety and cautioned against hostile rhetoric toward federal agents.

Trustee Manganaro moved and Trustee Santa Maria seconded the ordinance; the board approved it by unanimous roll call. The village manager said the ordinance will be published on the village web and social media, and staff added immigration resources to the village website.

Several speakers asked the board to pursue additional enforceable local measures and to explore coalition-building with other municipalities and state representatives; staff acknowledged those suggestions and said the ordinance preserves the village’s ability to pursue legal remedies or follow-up actions if incidents occur.