Democrat Governor Signs Bill Allowing “Illegal Immigrants to Become Police Officers,” Congresswoman Says

Illinois Democrat Gov. J. B. Pritzker reportedly signed legislation late Friday allowing non-citizens to become police officers.

“At 5pm 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. No sane state would allow foreign nationals to arrest their citizens, this is madness!” Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL) wrote Saturday.

At 5pm 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. No sane state would allow foreign nationals to arrest their citizens, this is madness!

— Rep. Mary Miller (@RepMaryMiller) July 29, 2023

CBS News reported last month the legislation was on Gov. Pritzker’s desk.

Per CBS News:

A bill that would allow non-U.S. citizens to become police officers in Illinois is now on Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk.

Federal law states that only U.S. citizens can serve as police officers and deputies. But Illinois House Bill 3751 would change that for immigrants who are work-eligible under federal law.

The bill’s sponsor called it a natural progression – now that some undocumented immigrants can become health care workers and military members.

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The outlet noted the bill already passed the state House and Senate.

WIFR provided additional context for HB 3751:

The bipartisan supported HB3751 allows noncitizens who are federally authorized to work in the U.S. to apply for city or county law enforcement jobs under the same specifications as U.S. citizens.

It also allows them to purchase, carry and possess a firearm in the case that they’re hired.

Under the bill, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients would be able to apply for policing jobs in the towns they’ve grown up in. Similar legislation has been introduced or passed in several states, including Wisconsin.

A unanimous vote in March in the Illinois House was seconded by a 37-20 vote in the Senate on Friday. Local Representatives Maurice West II (D-67), John Cabello (R-68) and Dave Vella (D-68) are co-sponsors of the bill.

If passed, the bill would become effective January 1, 2024.

Just In: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has signed a law that will allow illegal immigrants to become police officers and sheriffs deputies. In Illinois American citizens will be arrested by illegals.

Once this takes effect, people who are actively breaking federal law will… pic.twitter.com/z0JCCXFdpI

— 🇺🇸Travis🇺🇸 (@Travis_in_Flint) July 29, 2023

🚨BREAKING: Illinois governor, Pritzker just signed a bill allowing illegal immigrants to become police officers.

No sane country would allow their citizens to be arrested in their own country by non-citizens.

This is a pure madness!

— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) July 29, 2023

BREAKING🚨: Illinois governor, Pritzker just signed a bill allowing illegal immigrants to become police officers. This is not a joke.. pic.twitter.com/NsgFLF1XBX

— Officer Lew (@officer_Lew) July 29, 2023

The Daily Wire reports:

The law, HB3751, says that foreign nationals who “are legally authorized under federal law to work in the United States” or any foreign national who “is an individual against whom immigration action has been deferred by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services under the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) process” can apply to become a police officer in the state.

The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) condemned the bill earlier this year after it passed in the state House.

“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.”

HB 3751 states:

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. 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. Effective January 1, 2024.

According to the Illinois General Assembly, HB 3751 was sent to Gov. Pritzker on June 16th.

At the time of writing, the website hasn’t been updated to show the governor signed the bill into law.