Progress Illinois

On the heels of a nationwide campaign "to end immigration raids without due process, correct inhumane conditions in detention centers, and get action on the backlog of citizenship applications," the Chicago City Council -- led by Alderman Danny Solis -- is investigating at least 30 complaints of racial profiling by Chicago police officers and violations of federal immigration law at Cook County Jail:

The allegations include that undocumented immigrants who have a detainer placed on them by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement are being held longer than a required 48 hours. The time for federal agents to pick them up starts once they've been cleared for release from local law enforcement.

Last month officials at Cook County Jail - where three ICE agents are stationed each day - admitted that at least one immigrant inmate was held for ICE longer than 48 hours. Since then, the jail has established several reforms, including a hot line with updated information on the detention status of immigrants held on criminal charges, Cook County sheriff's police spokesman Steve Patterson said.

Solis, Cook County Commissioner Roberto Maldonado (D-Chicago), and immigration advocates also allege that some Chicago officers have pulled over individuals who appear Latino and questioned them about their immigration status -- a move prohibited by a 2006 city ordinance. These officers have then reported the immigration status of individuals to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Chicago police deny the allegations.

Close watchers of Chicago's approach to immigrant rights are thrilled with the oversight.

"It's always been seen as a place that's been more open and friendly to immigrants," said Raul Hinojosa-Ojeda, a professor at the University of California at Los Angeles and former Chicago immigration activist. "This particular announcement is a further step in making immigrants feel that their rights are going to be protected."

The City Council will hold a hearing on these issues next week.