As the federal government ramps up immigration raids, a survey of Illinois sheriffs shows many are frustrated with state laws that restrict cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The Medill Illinois News Bureau and Capitol News Illinois survey found that more than two-thirds of responding sheriffs would support repealing or revising the Illinois TRUST Act (2017) and the Way Forward Act (2021). Those laws prohibit local law enforcement from holding individuals for ICE or granting agents access to jails without a federal criminal warrant.
Some sheriffs, including Adams County Sheriff Anthony Grootens, openly admitted to cooperating with ICE despite state law. “I don’t think we can just turn our backs on federal law enforcement,” Grootens said, acknowledging his office transferred two men into ICE custody this year.
Others, like Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Bullard said they obey the law but hope lawmakers or courts overturn it. “We believe in what ICE is doing,” Bullard said.
Meanwhile, sheriffs such as Dustin Heuerman of Champaign County and Ronnie Stevens of Fayette County strongly defended the TRUST Act, saying it builds trust with immigrant communities and helps victims feel safe reporting crimes.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul reiterated the law’s constitutionality, noting courts have upheld it and warning law enforcement must comply. Immigrant rights advocates echoed that message, saying cooperation with ICE would erode community trust.
According to Pew Research, about 550,000 Illinois residents live without legal status, making local law enforcement’s role in immigration enforcement highly significant. Sheriff’s in the area, including Wayne County Sheriff, Chris Otey; Edwards County Sheriff, Darby Boewe and White County Sheriff, Jordan Weiss either declined to participate in the survey or did not respond to repeated survey requests.
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