CHAMPAIGN — Central Illinois Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-13) said she would support efforts to prosecute federal immigration officers who violate constitutional rights.
Budzinski made her comments following a roundtable at the Champaign Public Library with local officials and advocates.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has called on local prosecutors to charge Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who used violent tactics last year during operations in the Chicago area.
“I think that if you’re breaking the law, no matter who you are, you’re not above the law,” Budzinski said. “I am incredibly outraged that this administration has set a tone across the federal government that says that some folks don’t have to abide by the law and respect law and order.”
Budzinski said she has heard from constituents across Central and Southern Illinois who are worried about ICE targeting their communities.
Rumors spread towards the end of April that ICE agents were being sent to Champaign-Urbana. The rumors turned out to be false as FBI and drug enforcement officers came to the region for programs targeting violent crime.
Urbana Mayor DeShawn Williams said it was important to take the concern seriously — even if there was no ICE presence in the area.
“I think that is going to be ever the more important for us to ensure that our communication is unified, you know, across the board, understanding that there are a lot of rumors, there are a lot of fears and whatnot,” Williams said. “So it’s just very important that we not only take it serious, but when and if we do have information, that we communicate and that we are unified in our messaging across the board.”
Vrinda Agarwal, development director at The Immigration Project, said the fear of immigration enforcement has had a major impact on the organization’s clients. She said the group provides legal and social services to more than 86 Illinois counties.
“We have a lot of clients coming in panicking with all these rumors and information that’s spreading out in the community, which is rightfully — they have to be they have to be scared,” she added. “They have to make sure that if there is an ICE raid or if ICE agents are coming, they want to be safe.”
Budzinski says farm bill ‘didn’t meet the mark’
Budzinski also spoke about the farm bill that passed the U.S. House last week, arguing it takes the wrong approach for the nation’s agricultural sector.
Budzinski said she voted against the sweeping policy bill because it did not address cuts to food assistance that Republicans enacted last year. She said it would cut $1 billion in funding for conservation programs and does not include a provision to allow E-15 gasoline to be sold year-round.
The bill passed with support from just over a dozen Democrats, but no Democratic members from Illinois.
“I think that sends an overwhelming message that our party thinks that when we get in charge, hopefully in January, we can negotiate a better farm bill that helps families and our growers,” she said.
The farm bill was last re-authorized in 2018 and has been due for an update since 2023. The bill now awaits action in the U.S. Senate.