Holding signs that read, “Do better be better” and “Resist,” about 100 people protested outside Palatine police headquarters Tuesday, a day after one of the department’s officers aided a federal enforcement action, a move that has raised questions over whether the officer acted in accordance with state law and prompted local backlash.
“I had thought that in Illinois, police are not supposed to help (U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement),” longtime Palatine resident Linda Sabor said as she stood alongside fellow demonstrators and her husband.
In Illinois, the TRUST Act prevents the use of state and local resources for civil immigration enforcement purposes, according to a fact sheet from the Illinois attorney general. The law, however, does not prevent law enforcement from “taking action to maintain peace and ensure public safety within their jurisdiction,” the fact sheet notes.
While noting that she didn’t fully know the state law, Sabor, 69, said she came because she wanted clarity on where her local authorities stood.
Just before noon Monday, Palatine police officers observed three federal agents attempting to take a person into custody after responding to a report of a disturbance in the northwest suburb, Palatine police said in a news release.
During the confrontation, a crowd of about 20 people gathered, with “several individuals shouting obscenities and moving toward the arresting agents,” according to the department. In turn, a Palatine officer positioned himself between the agents and the crowd “to ensure the safety of everyone involved and to maintain order at the scene,” the department added.
However, after continuing to see agents struggle with the person and “given the subject’s noncompliance, the agitated crowd and the potential risk of injury,” the officer “made the split-second decision to assist in stabilizing the situation,” the department said.
The officer gave verbal instructions in Spanish to the person being detained and grasped the person’s right arm — which was already being handcuffed — while the agents secured the person’s left arm to help bring the incident to a resolution, according to the department.
In a statement, U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin confirmed the enforcement action but did not address questions on local law enforcement intervening in the matter.
McLaughlin stated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted a targeted immigration enforcement operation in Palatine to arrest Franyel Josue Munoz-Rodriguez, who she identified as “an illegal alien from Nicaragua who failed to appear at multiple immigration court hearings.”
Cook County records show Munoz-Rodriguez was ticketed for driving without a license and speeding last year, but the Tribune was unable to verify specifics about his immigration case.
During Monday’s arrest, McLaughlin said Munoz-Rodriguez “resisted officers and even attempted to bite a law enforcement officer.” Munoz-Rodriguez was placed in ICE custody pending removal proceedings, she added.
In the wake of the incident, a candidate for Illinois state representative took to social media to question whether Palatine police involvement violated the TRUST Act.
Jenny Levin, who is making a run to represent the 51st House District, called for an investigation by local authorities in a post to Facebook on Monday.
Levin was among those who protested outside the department Tuesday. As cars passing by blared their horns, Levin said, “We need transparency.”
“(The) Palatine Police Department is in a tough situation because obviously they have to respect federal rule when they’re in uniform, and I respect that, but our community does not want ICE agents coming in and taking people without due process,” she said.
In their statement Monday, Palatine police said the department “remains committed to complying with all state laws and will continue to focus on building relationships with the community.”
“The Police Department’s priority is to address criminal activity and ensure the safety of all residents,” the department continued. “The Police Department is here to serve and protect all members of our community equally. Residents should feel safe reporting crimes without fear of immigration repercussions. By adhering to these principles, the Police Department demonstrates our commitment to fair and unbiased policing.”
As Addy Gonzalez stood outside police headquarters — a sign in hand that read, “Who do they really protect?” — the 42-year-old Algonquin resident said she was tired.
“They’re chasing our families all over the parking lots like criminals,” she said. “We’re not criminals.”
When she heard what happened Monday, Gonzalez was disgusted, she said.
“They’re here to protect the community,” she said. “And this tells us that they’re not with the community, they’re with them. … I think that the trust has been broken.”
