WATCH: Amid continued enforcement, Pritzker tells ICE protesters: ‘Do as you have’

By Greg Bishop | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Immigration enforcement continues in Illinois as Gov. J.B. Pritzker again encouraged protesters to “do as you have.”

Social media posts show border enforcement officials back on the streets in Chicago, including Chief Patrol Agent Gregory Bovino being verbally accosted.

Asked about continued immigration enforcement at an unrelated event in Chicago Tuesday, Pritzker reacted.

“They call it enforcement. We call it harassment,” Pritzker said of immigration enforcement. “But, we don’t know how long they’ll stay. It appears that they’re here for at least a couple of days, if not longer.”

Pritzker encouraged the public to film immigration enforcement activities and more.

“Do as you have, because, frankly, I’m very proud of the way that Illinoisans have reacted to [Customs and Border Patrol] and [Immigration and Customs Enforcement], and that’s in pulling out your whistles and your phones, video everything, post it online,” Pritzker said.

Thursday, the Illinois Accountability Commission meets. The group Pritzker created aims to take testimony about ICE and DHS activities and alleged abuses.

“I invite Gregory Bovino to testify at the Illinois Accountability Commission,” Pritzker said. “He has some questions that he needs to answer for.”

Bovino has already sat down for sworn questions about immigration enforcement efforts in a case challenging the use of force. That case is in the process of being dismissed after a motion brought by plaintiffs who initiated the lawsuit.

“Some of this is still in the court systems and running through appeals courts and up to the Supreme Court,” Pritzker said. “So we don’t know what the final results on some of these things will be.”

The Trump administration continues its challenge to Illinois’ migrant sanctuary laws. The state of Illinois continues its challenge of the Trump administration’s use of the National Guard for public safety.