Illinois lawmaker calls for Aurora mayor’s resignation over alleged ICE ‘doxxing’

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributor
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Illinois state Rep. Adam Niemerg, who serves on the Immigration and Human Rights Committee, is calling for the resignation of John Laesch after social media posts and videos circulated online alleging the Aurora mayor shared the live locations of federal immigration agents operating in the city.

The controversy gained national attention after the conservative social media account Libs of TikTok posted footage accusing Laesch of “doxxing” ICE agents and tracking their movements in Aurora.

The post claimed the mayor was “actively protecting foreign murderers, rapists, and pedophiles” and demanded his resignation.

Niemerg sharply criticized the mayor’s actions, arguing they endangered federal officers attempting to apprehend violent offenders.

“It’s terrible to see elected officials do this to federal immigration authorities who are just out on the street trying to arrest violent illegal immigrants,” Niemerg told The Center Square. “They have to worry about elected officials posting their locations or getting in the way during an apprehension.”

Niemerg said the alleged conduct amounted to interference with law enforcement and accused Aurora leadership of prioritizing politics over public safety.

“You’re putting these folks in harm’s way by doing this,” Niemerg said. “This mayor should absolutely resign. This is horrible behavior.”

The controversy follows months of escalating tension in Aurora over immigration enforcement.

In 2025, Laesch publicly condemned ICE operations in the city, describing federal enforcement efforts as “snatchings of community members” and pledging support for community patrols monitoring ICE activity.

Aurora officials have also backed policies limiting cooperation with immigration authorities. Last year, the Aurora City Council approved an ordinance restricting the use of city property for civil immigration enforcement activities.

Critics, including Niemerg, argue those sanctuary-style policies make cooperation between local and federal law enforcement more difficult.

“The sanctuary state policies, the sanctuary city policies make it very difficult for federal law enforcement and local law enforcement to work hand in hand,” Niemerg said.

When asked whether he believed the mayor’s alleged sharing of ICE locations constituted “doxxing,” Niemerg said Illinois laws concerning harassment and disclosure of personal information should be enforced.

“Yes, absolutely,” Niemerg said. “Those laws need to be enforced on this individual.”

Supporters of alert systems tracking ICE activity argue communities have a right to know when immigration enforcement operations are occurring nearby.

Niemerg dismissed those arguments, saying law enforcement operations should not be treated differently because they involve immigration enforcement.

“They don’t care about the right to know whenever law enforcement is apprehending a violent criminal,” Niemerg said. “But they care about this when it comes to illegal immigration. I find that hypocritical.”

Laesch has previously defended public communication surrounding ICE activity, saying the city has sought to protect vulnerable residents while complying with Illinois’ TRUST Act, which limits local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

Laesch did not respond to The Center Square’s request for comment.