Wednesday, the Chicago City Council approved a $1.3 million dollar fund to help illegal aliens pay for legal services, including removal proceedings, using taxpayer money. The fund was created in a response to the election of Donald Trump, whose platform promised increasing border security and enforcing federal immigration law. The Chicago City Council also held a hearing Wednesday on a resolution reaffirming the city’s stance as a sanctuary city for illegal aliens.
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, a supporter of the fund, also supports the city’s policy to shield criminal aliens from immigration enforcement. Indeed, Mayor Emanuel is one of the mayors who promised illegal alien residents last month that city officials will continue to ignore federal law and preserve policies that impede the enforcement of immigration law into President-elect Trump’s term. Trump’s platform energized American voters largely because of his tough position on immigration enforcement and promises to combat sanctuary cities. President-elect Trump supports conditioning federal funding on the city’s willingness to cooperate with federal immigration officials.