Trailblazing for progressives, Illinois House and Senate legislators have passed House Bill 3751 and sent it to Gov. JB Pritzker’s sturdy desk for final signature. The bill will allow Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals — DACA — “to apply for positions as police officers, deputy sheriffs, or special policeman.” But the governor seems paralyzed to make it official: It’s been in limbo since mid-June.
Supporters of DACA individuals see this as a way to engage immigrants in the process of American law, but opponents don’t want undocumented people running about with firearms and policing citizens.
Gun Grabbers Giving Aliens Guns?
“I just want a small door (open) for a certain group of people to be able to carry a gun. I’m not saying all undocumented people. I’m just saying if you apply and you are accepted, let’s give you a chance to own, to carry or possess a gun,” the measure’s Democratic sponsor Rep. Barbara Hernandez said. “And maybe what the federal government can say is once you retire, or once you’re out of the job for whatever reason, you don’t have that ability anymore.”
Of course, no one can agree on who should be able to carry a firearm in the United States. On the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) site is a plain-as-day warning: “The Gun Control Act (GCA), codified at 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), makes it unlawful for certain categories of persons to ship, transport, receive, or possess firearms or ammunition, to include any person: who is an illegal alien.”
“Unfortunately, it’s strictly symbolic,” state Rep. John Cabello, a Republican and detective with the Rockford Police Department, said of the bill. “It doesn’t do anything until the feds do something about the federal law.”
And there is the rub: What’s the point? Viewed from a different angle, why do so many progressive Democrats want to implement gun control restrictions on Americans while trying to arm undocumented people? Seems counterproductive at best.
In this weird start to the 2024 election showdown, is Illinois simply trolling for progressives’ votes and following lockstep with a West Coast sanctuary state and East Coast municipality: California and the District of Columbia?
They Did It for DACA
Hernandez admits she got the idea from California, one of several states that have passed similar legislation. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law that requires aliens and DACA folks to have only a work permit in the United States to join the force. The revised law reads as such:
“The bill would remove the provision that requires peace officers to either be a citizen of the United States or be a permanent resident who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship and would instead require peace officers be legally authorized to work in the United States and make conforming changes.”
The District of Columbia also implemented similar changes to its Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022. It needs police and hopes that DACA folks will want to swell the ranks, which could fast-track citizenship.
“As an agency, we truly believe that a workforce representing our community brings various ideas, experiences, and perspectives. Together, this blend drives innovation and growth,” said interim Chief of Police Ashan Benedict.
JB Pritzker (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images)
The city is down to only 3,400 metro police. The goal is 4,200 in 10 years: A nice carrot of $25,000 is offered as a signing bonus to get there.
Undoubtedly, all Democratic calls to de-fund the police have taken a toll. Now it’s time to fund DACA recipients to choose a career in law enforcement. And Illinois seems to be okay with this new program. Blue Island Police Chief spoke at the General Assembly in Springfield, revealing he had one DACA recruit and was hoping for more. “It, at times, is difficult to provide the services to the community without being able to communicate with them,” Farr said. “It’s important that the Police Department reflects the makeup of the community, and what better means do we have than to recruit Hispanic officers.”
The pleas from law enforcement had both sides of the political divide agreeing to push the legislation forward and encourage Pritzker to sign it into law.
What you may not know about the Illinois State Assembly is that even if Pritzker washes his hands and vetoes the bill, Democrats in both chambers can override the governor with supermajority power. And that will give 30,000 DACA recipients in Illinois a big checkmark in the American Dream column.
