Under a new bill just signed into law by Illinois’ left-wing Democratic governor, non-citizens will now be able to arrest American citizens.
J.B. Pritzker signed HB3751, which says that foreign nationals who “are legally authorized under federal law to work in the United States” or any foreign national who “is an individual against whom the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services have deferred immigration action under the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) process” can apply to become a police officer in the state.
After the bill passed the Democrat-controlled House, the Fraternal Order of Police ripped it as unwise and damaging to the public.
“What message does this legislation send when it allows people who do not have legal status to become the enforcers of our laws?” the organization said in a statement. “This is a potential crisis of confidence in law enforcement at a time when our officers need all the public confidence they can get.”
Illinois state Sen. Chapin Rose (R) said it would be a “fundamental breach” of democracy to allow non-citizens to arrest American citizens during debate on the measure.
“It’s just a fundamentally bad idea,” Rose said in May. “I don’t care where this individual is from. Australia — they should not be able to arrest a United States citizen on United States soil.”
Illinois, like other Democrat-run states and enclaves, is facing a shortage of police officers thanks to “defund” efforts and the election of far-left Soros-backed DAs who refuse to prosecute crimes.
Pritzker signed several other controversial bills, including one requiring state agencies to add “non-binary” or “gender non-conforming” categories to employment reports — which will make it more difficult to track certain policies that are aimed at helping specific demographics.
Another bill that was signed focuses on crisis pregnancy centers. The new law grants Illinois’ attorney general the authority to investigate cases involving alleged consumer fraud concerning crisis pregnancy centers that have been accused of employing deceptive practices. The primary target of the law is pro-life centers that make misleading claims, such as suggesting a link between abortion and breast cancer or infertility.
Right to Life Executive Director Mary Kate Zander called the law “politically motivated” and “totally unsubstantiated.”
The Thomas More Society, a right-leaning legal organization that fights for religious liberty and free speech, has already filed suit against the new law.
“This law is a blatant attempt to chill and silence pro-life speech under the guise of ‘consumer protection,’” said Peter Breen, Thomas More Society executive vice president and head of litigation.
“Pregnancy help ministries provide real options and assistance to women and families in need, but instead of the praise they deserve, pro-abortion politicians are targeting these ministries with $50,000 fines and injunctions solely because of their pro-life viewpoint,” Breen added.
