Summary
- America First Legal obtained public records showing Cook County, Illinois, refused to honor more than 410 ICE detainer requests in 2025.
- The county released criminal illegal aliens back into communities instead of holding them for federal immigration authorities.
- Illinois’ sanctuary policies, including the Illinois Trust Act, prevent local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE, creating a cycle of catch-and-release that endangers public safety.
What Happened
America First Legal released documents obtained through public records requests revealing that Cook County officials ignored more than 410 ICE detainers in 2025 alone. ICE detainers are formal requests asking local jails to hold criminal illegal aliens until federal agents can take them into custody for deportation proceedings.
Instead of complying, Cook County released these individuals, many with serious criminal histories, back onto the streets. The practice is enabled by Illinois’ sanctuary-state laws, particularly the Illinois Trust Act signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker. This law bars state and local law enforcement from detaining people solely for immigration violations or notifying ICE of release dates.
The exposure comes shortly after the House Judiciary Committee highlighted the case of a Venezuelan illegal alien who was released by the Biden administration despite being flagged as “likely to abscond” and later murdered Loyola University student Sheridan Gorman in Chicago.
Why It Matters
When local governments deliberately ignore federal detainers, they actively shield criminal illegal aliens from deportation and return them to American communities. This directly endangers citizens, as seen in repeated high-profile crimes committed by previously released individuals. Taxpayers in Illinois fund local law enforcement and jails expecting them to protect public safety, not to act as a revolving door for criminal non-citizens. These policies undermine federal immigration law and place law-abiding residents at greater risk.
Notable Reactions
America First Legal’s findings sparked widespread outrage online and among law enforcement advocates. Many pointed to the direct connection between sanctuary policies and preventable crimes, including the recent murder of Sheridan Gorman. Critics called for immediate repeal of the Illinois Trust Act and accountability for officials who prioritize illegal aliens over American victims.
The Bigger Picture
Cook County’s refusal to honor ICE detainers is part of a deliberate sanctuary-state strategy in Illinois that has repeatedly prioritized non-citizens over public safety. Similar patterns exist across blue jurisdictions where “equity” or sanctuary rules limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
The consequences are measurable: repeated releases of individuals with violent criminal records lead to more crimes against Americans. The Illinois Trust Act and local policies create a systemic barrier that prevents simple compliance with ICE requests — all the jurisdiction has to do is hold the person until ICE arrives. As America First Legal continues its investigations, these records highlight how sanctuary policies function as a shield for criminal illegal aliens while leaving American communities more vulnerable.
Sources
America First Legal press release and public records: https://aflegal.org/press-release/america-first-legal-exposes-illinois-sanctuary-policies-that-released-over-400-criminal-illegal-aliens-in-chicago/
Cook County records obtained by AFL: https://media.aflegal.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/27103921/Cook-County-IL-Records.pdf
Fox News coverage of the releases: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/hundreds-jailed-illegal-aliens-released-back-onto-blue-state-streets-despite-ice-detainers-records-show
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