Illinois is quickly becoming the poster child for what happens when radical sanctuary-state ideology collides with basic public safety—and the numbers are jaw-dropping. Since President Trump’s inauguration in January 2025, Illinois officials have released 1,768 criminal illegal immigrants** back onto the streets despite ICE detainers, including individuals charged with **murder, sexual assault, and kidnapping.
If that isn’t staggering enough, more than **4,000 additional criminal illegals** remain in custody today—linked to 51 homicides, 813 sex offenses, and a long list of violent crimes—yet the state continues refusing ICE cooperation. Federal officials are calling it what it is: a direct risk to innocent Americans.
ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons is practically begging Illinois leaders to stop shielding dangerous offenders. In a pointed letter to Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Lyons highlighted horrifying examples like convicted kidnapper Victor Mendoza-Garcia and child sex offender Jaime Mandujano-Nunez—criminals Illinois allowed back into communities rather than turning them over to federal authorities.
The Department of Homeland Security isn’t mincing words either. Tricia McLaughlin blasted Governor J.B. Pritzker and Illinois Democrats for unleashing violent predators onto American neighborhoods. “Governor Pritzker and his fellow Illinois sanctuary politicians are releasing murderers, pedophiles, and kidnappers back into our neighborhoods,” she said, adding that the administration is “putting American lives at risk.”
That’s not hyperbole—those are DHS statistics.
Lyons didn’t hold back: “These sanctuary policies that release criminal illegal aliens back onto the streets of Illinois put American lives at risk.”
But rather than acknowledge reality—or the victims—Gov. Pritzker proudly doubles down. In an official statement, he bragged about making Illinois a “welcoming state for immigrants” and vowed to be a “firewall” against President Trump’s immigration enforcement.
Translation: ideology first, public safety second.
Pritzker even portrayed basic enforcement of immigration law as hateful, claiming Trump is “forcing families into the shadows.” Meanwhile, the families forced into mourning by illegal-alien crime apparently don’t factor into Illinois Democrats’ calculations.
Attorney General Kwame Raoul followed suit, issuing orders that state employees must not cooperate with ICE at all—unless a criminal warrant exists. His justification? ICE detainers are “requests,” so Illinois is going to ignore them.
This is where things become truly alarming: the official position of the state of Illinois is that turning loose criminal aliens is preferable to cooperating with federal law enforcement.
In response, Lyons sent another letter demanding Raoul and Pritzker stop shielding violent criminals and honor ICE detainers immediately. His message could not have been clearer: put American safety first.
Illinois Democrats, however, seem intent on protecting foreign nationals over their own citizens—an incredible stance during a nationwide crime crisis and an ongoing border emergency.
While the Trump administration cracks down aggressively on illegal immigration, Illinois chooses to be a sanctuary for offenders—including those committing rape, assault, and murder.
If that doesn’t show voters exactly where Democratic priorities lie, nothing will.
