The blue state of Illinois just passed a law that allows illegal immigrants to become police officers in the state.
Democratic State Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Friday signed House Bill 3751 into law, which will no longer require U.S. citizenship as a qualification to become a police officer in the state. Despite heavy Republican opposition, the bill will take effect on January 1, 2024.
According to the legislation, H.B. 3751 “provides that an individual who is not a citizen but is legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law is authorized to apply for the position of police officer, subject to all requirements and limitations, other than citizenship, to which other applicants are subject.”
The bill adds that immigrants who remain in the country under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Act are also eligible to join law enforcement. Currently, federal law prohibits non-U.S. citizens to serve as police officers and deputies.
As expected, the new law received criticism from Republican lawmakers, with many voicing their outrage over the weekend on social media.
“At 5 p.m. yesterday, when no one was paying attention, Pritzker signed a bill to allow illegal immigrants to become police officers, giving non-citizens the power to arrest citizens in our state,” State Rep. Mary Miller tweeted. “No sane state would allow foreign nationals to arrest their citizens, this is madness!”
“In the state of Illinois, illegals can now become police officers. Yes, you heard that right,” Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert wrote. People who are breaking the law by their presence here can now arrest American citizens. You know the other blue states are watching and getting ready to implement this idea as soon as they can! We either address this border crisis or allow our country to descend further into a Leftist dystopia.”
The Fraternal Order of Police also expressed their disappointment over the bill after it passed in the Democratic-controlled state House earlier this month.
“What message does this legislation send when it allows people who do not have legal status to become the enforcers of our laws?” the group said in a statement. “This is a potential crisis of confidence in law enforcement at a time when our officers need all the public confidence they can get.”
