Arlington Heights bans use of village property for civil immigration enforcement; ordinance adopted unanimously
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Summary
The Village Board unanimously approved an ordinance prohibiting use of village-owned or -leased property for civil immigration enforcement (except public rights-of-way); staff said enforcement would rely on documentation and potential legal action rather than local arrests; residents offered both strong support and opposition during public comment.
The Arlington Heights Village Board unanimously adopted an ordinance Dec. 1 that restricts civil immigration enforcement activities on village-owned, -operated or -leased property, except for public rights-of-way. The measure passed after staff described an interim policy and legal framework and the board fielded several hours of public comment.
Village Manager Reklaus said the ordinance does not give local officials power to arrest federal agents but creates a formal village policy and a documentation process that preserves options for legal review. "This ordinance would preserve the village's ability to bring such an action if it were deemed warranted by the board," staff said during the presentation, while also warning the public that enforcement likely would be pursued in federal court.
Supporters said the ordinance sends a message of protection to immigrant neighbors and workers who they said have been targeted in community enforcement actions. Kim Hogan, a resident, read an account from a local landscaper describing how workers (documented and undocumented) are fearful and, in one instance, lost a subcontractor to enforcement action; residents urged the board to adopt the ordinance as drafted and to pursue additional locally enforceable protections over time.
Other speakers urged caution, raised concerns about federal law enforcement's role in public safety, and warned against incendiary rhetoric. John Supplett urged the board to consider additional, locally enforceable provisions in future updates — including prohibiting local officials from performing federal immigration functions without written agreement, barring local officers from gathering immigration-status information absent connection to a local investigation, and restricting employer cooperation for warrantless federal workplace access.
Trustees emphasized careful public communication so residents do not have a false sense of legal protection: Trustee Bertucci asked staff to avoid promising that the ordinance will 'keep ICE out' of Arlington Heights in every circumstance. Manager Reklaus said staff will publicize the policy, post resources on the village website and work to educate residents and staff about what the ordinance does and does not do.
The board approved the ordinance by roll call vote; President Tonaglia said the action was intended to show the village cares for its immigrant residents while acknowledging the legal limits of municipal authority.
