Labor Leaders Condemn Proposed Rollback of Chicago's Welcoming City Ordinance

Ordinance 2023-0004222 will chill immigrant workers’ ability to uphold labor standards

Media Contact:

Sophia Zaman, Raise The Floor Alliance

(773) 669-6536 | [email protected]

CHICAGO – In response to the recent ordinance 2023-0004222 proposed by Alds. Raymond Lopez and Silvana Tabares that would compel local police to collaborate with federal immigration officials, a coalition of  worker centers are speaking out against the harmful measure, calling it a threat to public safety, workers' rights, and Chicago's core values.

The proposed ordinance would allow local law enforcement to coordinate with federal immigration authorities in cases involving undocumented residents arrested or convicted of certain crimes. This approach undermines public trust, endangers workers in low-wage jobs, and scapegoats immigrants, while emboldening employers to commit labor abuses with impunity. Repealing these protections would make it harder for workers who already face a high degree of exploitation to report wage theft, unsafe working conditions, and harassment without fear of retaliation through immigration enforcement.

"This proposal not only threatens the safety and dignity of Chicago’s immigrant communities but also will have a chilling effect on labor standards,” said Sophia Zaman, Executive Director at Raise the Floor Alliance. "Worker centers have long advocated for Chicago's Welcoming City Ordinance to ensure all residents feel safe seeking help about violations of their rights, regardless of their immigration status. All these proposed carve outs will do is criminalize immigrants and communities of color, spread a culture of fear, and weaken workers’ collective power.” 

Rolling back protections could lead to increased exploitation, fear in the workplace, and economic instability for families across the city. Undocumented workers are disproportionately concentrated in Chicago’s low-wage jobs and experience violations of labor standards at alarming rates. Cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration agencies discourages labor abuse reporting and undermines efforts to build safer communities. The proposed carve-outs risk racial profiling and the wrongful targeting of individuals without proper due process.

Alds Lopez and Tabares’ attempt to carve out exceptions in the city’s sanctuary protections echoes divisive national rhetoric that criminalizes immigrant communities and demonstrates that these leaders are eager to act as Trump surrogates to advance his harmful agenda.

"The Welcoming City Ordinance is a vital safeguard for our communities, not a bargaining chip for political gain. Chicagoans need our leaders to push back against federal rollbacks that degrade workers’ rights, not engage in cheap stunts that serve incoming President Trump’s xenophobic agenda.” 

RTF urges City Council members to reject this dangerous proposal and instead focus on expanding protections, investing in community safety strategies, and upholding Chicago’s long-standing commitment to being a welcoming city for all.

 

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Raise The Floor Alliance is a legal assistance non-profit and grassroots worker center coalition that builds power with workers in low-wage industries across Illinois to know, claim, and improve workplace rights. Follow us on Bluesky: @RaiseTheFloor.

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