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* NewsWeek…
A new bill allowing eligible non-U.S. citizens in Illinois to become police officers was signed into law by Governor J. B. Pritzker on Friday, amid criticism from some Republican lawmakers. […]
The bill’s primary sponsor, Democratic Rep. Barbara Hernandez, defended the bill saying that the measure is a “natural progression” of the federal government’s 2021 decision to allow some undocumented immigrants to become healthcare workers and military members, as reported by CBS News.
According to the bill’s description on the Illinois General Assembly’s website, it amends the state’s Municipal Code providing that “an individual who is not a citizen but is legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law is authorized to apply for the position of police officers.”
Eligible non-U.S. citizens are subject “to all requirements and limitations, other than citizenship, to which other applicants are subject,” and must be able to obtain, carry, purchase, or otherwise possess a firearm under federal law.
So - and this is important - if they can’t obtain federal authorization to possess a firearm, they’re out of luck.
* Criticism from a couple of federal lawmakers is highlighted in the article…
At 5pm yesterday, when no one was paying attention, Pritzker signed a bill to allow illegal immigrants to become police officers, giving non-citizens the power to arrest citizens in our state. No sane state would allow foreign nationals to arrest their citizens, this is madness!
— Rep. Mary Miller (@RepMaryMiller) July 29, 2023
In the state of Illinois, illegals can now become police officers.
Yes, you heard that right.
People who are breaking the law by their presence here can now arrest American citizens.
You know the other blue states are watching and getting ready to implement this idea as soon…
— Lauren Boebert (@laurenboebert) July 30, 2023
But the bill passed the House 100-7. It had less bipartisan support in the Senate, but still passed easily.
* The Illinois FOP is quoted in the article as being virulently opposed, but the group never officially registered a position with the General Assembly either way, so what the heck were they doing when the bill was being crafted?
On the other hand, Chicago FOP Lodge #7 was an early proponent as was the Illinois Municipal League. The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police was originally opposed, but then switched to neutral after the bill was changed. The Illinois Sheriffs’ Association slipped as neutral.
*** UPDATE *** Gov. Pritzker was asked about US Rep. Mary Miller’s claim during a press conference today and gave a full-throated response…
That’s wrong. That’s false. I appreciate you asking the question, because as usual the far-right is proposing and putting out their false information. They’re saying that we’re allowing illegal, illegal immigrants is the word that they would use. You know, undocumented immigrants are not allowed to become police officers in the state of Illinois. What we have allowed is legal permanent residents and DACA recipients now to become police officers. So we have the ability for people who are legally in this country. And again, permanent residents or DACA recipients now to apply for jobs as police officers.
But I am tired of the right wing twisting these things. They put it out on Facebook, they tell lies. They attack based upon those lies. They’re perpetuating lies. So there are people out there that think that we’re just allowing anybody to become a police officer, that’s just not accurate. Two other states already have provided this. We have a US military that has 35,000 immigrants who are not US citizens who are serving in the US military today. 8,000 more sign up every year. We allow that in our US military. We allow it in a couple of other states and more states are adding on to this list of states that are allowing legal permanent residents. So I’m proud that we are doing this I think it’s the right thing. To do. It’s also good for our police departments. And oh, by the way, the Fraternal Order of Police has supported it.
Please pardon all transcription errors.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jul 31, 23 @ 10:58 am
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“an individual who is not a citizen but is legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law”
I know facts and the MAGA crowds are like oil and water, but cmon.
Comment by New Day Monday, Jul 31, 23 @ 11:03 am
This seems to fit two categories of immigrants–permanent residents who are the closest group to being a citizen and mostly are working towards citizenship and DACA. I’m having a hard time finding a reason to not allow either to be a police officer assuming they meet the other requirements. I doubt this has much of a practical effect.
Comment by ArchPundit Monday, Jul 31, 23 @ 11:07 am
I thought Prez Harmon really said it best when he pointed out that a couple generations ago half the Chicago police department spoke with an Irish brogue.
And a reminder, non-citizen immigrants have fought and died in the armed services going back to the Civil War.
Comment by Telly Monday, Jul 31, 23 @ 11:10 am
Persons who are immigrants with an alien number issued and able to work are eligible to join our military so why not be able to be police officers.It is important to know the laws.if you don’t have an alien number issued by ICE or work authorization you are excluded form obtaining a FFL. Therefore this new law does NOT apply those persons.
Comment by illinifan Monday, Jul 31, 23 @ 11:12 am
Who is going to tell dumb and dumber that these are not illegal immigrants?
Comment by JS Mill Monday, Jul 31, 23 @ 11:19 am
““an individual who is not a citizen but is legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law is authorized to apply for the position of police officers.”
Those are Green Card holders, right?
So legal immigrants.
Comment by OneMan Monday, Jul 31, 23 @ 11:21 am
==Who is going to tell dumb and dumber that these are not illegal immigrants?
Forget it, they’re rollin’
Comment by ArchPundit Monday, Jul 31, 23 @ 11:22 am
“And a reminder, non-citizen immigrants have fought and died in the armed services going back to the Civil War.”
Well, technically, the Revolutionary War, but then again there were no citizens of the US back then. Point being, we’ve always allowed people from other counties to fight for the US. Why not be cops?
Comment by New Day Monday, Jul 31, 23 @ 11:26 am
We were rant by Commando Ives in her weekly blurt. She noted only seven House GOPIes voted “no” Helps showcase her bigotry
Comment by Annonin' Monday, Jul 31, 23 @ 11:40 am
Fact check is already up on this one. I was puzzled by Hernandez’s comment about illegal immigrants. The reference is related to a 2021 court decision related to DACA. This law permits DACA recipients to become police. So persons who entered US “illegally” as children but have status now with ICE and are authorized to work. This is very limited population. As said previously facts matter. Also critical thinking matters.
Comment by Illnifan Monday, Jul 31, 23 @ 11:43 am
Throughout the history of our nation non-citizens have routinely served our country and our communities, and served it well. Including Medal of Honor recipient, Alfred V. Rascon.
Immigrants to our nation have routinely volunteered to take up arms for our nation, sometimes just after arriving. Hundreds of immigrants to our country have been recipients of the Medal of Honor.
Recently elected bigots undermining the contributions of immigrants and non-citizens to our nation would do well to reflect on what little they’ve done to improve the lives of others while degrading the hallowed halls of congress with their behavior and praise for Hitler.
Comment by Candy Dogood Monday, Jul 31, 23 @ 12:07 pm
Because of the hard work and toil put forth by immigrants, the US had workers to man the coal mines, refineries, and steel mills throughout the Midwest.
And, Ms. Miller, what’s with the run-on sentence in the post. Time to crack open the chapter on punctuation.
Comment by Rudy’s teeth Monday, Jul 31, 23 @ 12:09 pm
“…Democratic Rep. Barbara Hernandez, defended the bill saying that the measure is a “natural progression” of the federal government’s 2021 decision to allow some undocumented immigrants to become healthcare workers and military members…”
I agree with Hernandez, this is a natural progression of the current trend to subjugate native born U.S. citizens within the empire. The republic no longer exists, this just makes it open policy that we are to be ruled over by aliens. Next see if Hessian mercenaries are still available for “peacekeeping” missions in Illinois.
Comment by Payback Monday, Jul 31, 23 @ 12:12 pm
It’s not green card holders this would mainly effect per se. It’s DACA. So, people who grew up in their community, look and speak like their community and now want to help police their community. What a nightmare.
Comment by High Socks Monday, Jul 31, 23 @ 12:21 pm
I know the whole thing is dumb, but what makes them think that even if PD’s were allowed to hire illegal immigrants, that they would go out and start hiring them?
And of all the agencies responsible for hiring, shouldn’t we trust a police department’s judgement when it came to necessary background checks and selecting the best candidate? The law seems to just allow for a wider pool of applicants making for safer communities.
Comment by Sox Fan Monday, Jul 31, 23 @ 12:43 pm
As a descendant of immigrant grandparents, I find these comments uttered by members of Congress to be highly offensive.
Mary Miller’s railing on about immigrants is a perverse way to score a few points and gain notoriety.
Did Mary Miller’s family have a seat on the Mayflower?
Comment by Rudy’s teeth Monday, Jul 31, 23 @ 12:50 pm
Did this actually change the law in any way (maybe for DACA?)? I’ve known non-citizens from Poland and the UK who were police officers ages ago. Codifying the legality of it seems reasonable. We want our police officers to represent our communities, so it makes sense to include the more-recently immigarated as well.
Comment by Leslie K Monday, Jul 31, 23 @ 12:51 pm
What gets me with these hyperbolic responses from the right is the cynicism of it all. They know they are lying. They know they are feeding falsehoods to the base to get them riled up. They don’t care.
Comment by Montrose Monday, Jul 31, 23 @ 12:52 pm
= Did Mary Miller’s family have a seat on the Mayflower? =
All the folks on the Mayflower were, of course, immigrants.
Comment by JoanP Monday, Jul 31, 23 @ 12:57 pm
There are a number of openings in almost every police department in the State. Are Illinois and U.S. citizens rushing to fill these jobs. Nope. So no jobs are being taken from anyone.
Comment by Appears Monday, Jul 31, 23 @ 12:59 pm
Maybe ending birthright citizenship isn’t such a bad idea afterall. That would let us deport boebert and miller back to Mars.
Comment by JS Mill Monday, Jul 31, 23 @ 1:08 pm
If it’s coming from Miller’s or Boebert’s mouth you can pretty much guarantee it’s a lie.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Jul 31, 23 @ 1:33 pm
=If it’s coming from Miller’s or Boebert’s mouth you can pretty much guarantee it’s a lie.=
I am not so sure about that. I would agree that if they are saying it it isn’t true, and maybe I am just being picky here. But they are both really dumb, so maybe they aren’t so much lying and just to dumb to know the truth?
Either way, they are wrong.
Comment by JS Mill Monday, Jul 31, 23 @ 1:47 pm
In wandering the wasteland of social media over the weekend, I somehow came across a screenshot of Ives on this topic.
She is just full on mask-ripped-off terrible.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Monday, Jul 31, 23 @ 1:49 pm
I think this is a great idea that will have some challenges. Not sure how easy conducting background checks on some applicants will be but it could fill a huge void. Does this bill allow them to apply with IDOC or IDHS facilities? Or is that already allowed.
Comment by I Love Decatur Monday, Jul 31, 23 @ 2:49 pm
==Or is that already allowed.==
Non-citizens who are legally authorized to work in the US could already be hired in state government.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Jul 31, 23 @ 2:56 pm
These clowns just want clicks. They don’t care about truth. Pay no attention to them and they eventually go away.
Comment by Just Me 2 Monday, Jul 31, 23 @ 3:48 pm
I’m please our Governor is calling a lie a lie.
Comment by Stix Hix Monday, Jul 31, 23 @ 3:59 pm
===Pay no attention to them and they eventually go away===
Did you just fall off a turnip truck?
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jul 31, 23 @ 4:19 pm
- They don’t care about truth. Pay no attention to them and they eventually go away. -
There…is the danger.
Similar to not paying attention to a cancerous growth…it will not go away…it will grow and likely metasticize…resulting in the death of democracy…Beware.
Comment by Dotnonymous x Monday, Jul 31, 23 @ 4:56 pm