Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D-IL), recently approved a new law that has raised a considerable amount of concern. The legislation allows foreign nationals, including illegal aliens who possess work permits, to pursue careers as state police officers.
Illinois Gov. Pritzker signs bill allowing non-citizens to become police officers | Just The News https://t.co/0BgxdZLdeW
— John Solomon (@jsolomonReports) July 30, 2023
The plan was initiated and swiftly passed by Democrat legislators in June, leveraging their supermajority in both the Illinois House and Senate.
The primary beneficiaries of this law would be individuals enrolled in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, along with thousands of other foreign nationals holding valid work permits issued by the federal government.
According to a concise summary of the legislation, “an individual against whom immigration action has been deferred by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services under the federal DACA process is allowed to apply for the position of police officer, deputy sheriff, or special policeman, subject to specified requirements.”
Gov. Pritzker gave his seal of approval to this controversial law, and it went into effect immediately after signing. The decision has drawn diverse reactions, with proponents arguing that it promotes inclusivity and offers valuable opportunities to those who have long considered the United States their home.
However, opponents express deep concerns about potential ramifications for public safety and the potential mixing of immigration and law enforcement functions. California, another sanctuary state, has already implemented a similar approach. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA), made it legal for non-citizens to serve as police officers.
The requirements for eligibility are relatively straightforward — candidates only need a work permit issued by the federal government. Under President Joe Biden’s administration, work permits have been more regularly distributed to illegal border crossers who have been released into the United States.
This development has heightened the ongoing national conversation about immigration policies, with critics arguing that such laws could potentially create challenges for law enforcement agencies and raise concerns about potential exploitation by undocumented criminals.
Granting illegal immigrants the authority to police legal citizens raises serious concerns about the potential compromise of public safety and the blurred lines between immigration enforcement and law enforcement, necessitating a careful reassessment of the long-term implications and consequences of enacting such policies.
