Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about what the Cook County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) does – and does not do- when it comes to civil immigration enforcement in Cook County.
1. Does the Cook County Sheriff’s Office work with federal agencies?
Sheriff’s Office employees do not work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or any federal agency on civil immigration enforcement. That means we do not participate in, assist with, or comply with any civil immigration requests.
In our jail, we do not honor civil immigration detainers or civil immigration warrants. These documents are not criminal warrants signed by a judge. We will only comply with a warrant signed by a judge.
Cook County Sheriff’s Office deputies will respond to calls for assistance in our jurisdiction, including situations that have the potential to become violent. However, our deputies do not have the authority to physically prevent federal agents from carrying out what they claim are their official duties.
Our deputies will inform federal agents of the local policies and laws prohibiting civil immigration activity on County property. However, they are not able to physically prevent civil immigration enforcement by federal agents.
We do work with local, state, and federal agencies on non-immigration-related investigations including criminal investigations such as cases involving narcotics, human trafficking, internet crimes against children, missing persons, domestic violence, homicides etc.
2. What do Cook County Sheriff’s Office deputies do during a demonstration?
The Cook County Sheriff’s Office respects the rights of people to peaceably assemble. It is the policy of the Sheriff’s Office not to unreasonably interfere with, harass, intimidate, or discriminate against persons engaged in the lawful exercise of their rights – while also preserving the peace, protecting life, and preventing the destruction of property.
Our duty is to maintain public safety and to make sure all laws are being followed. That means we may ask that people move if they are blocking roadways or obstructing ingress to or egress from places of business. We also may make arrests if needed to protect public safety.
3. I’ve seen Cook County Sheriff’s Office deputies in courthouses alongside federal agencies like ICE, how can you explain that?
The Cook County Sheriff’s Office is committed to ensuring that all individuals may safely access Cook County’s court system consistent with Illinois law, Cook County policy, and applicable judicial administrative orders – including the Circuit Court of Cook County Chief Judge’s Administrative Order. Our staff aim to prevent any interference with judicial proceedings and to maintain safety and order around Cook County courthouses.
Our deputies are prohibited from assisting federal immigration agents, including by coordinating an arrest in a courthouse or other public facility, transferring any individuals, establishing a security or traffic perimeter, or providing other on-site support to ICE or federal agents conducting civil immigration activity.
However, our deputies cannot physically detain, restrain, or arrest a federal agent actively engaged in the act of conducting what that agent claims is a lawful federal action.
Any violation by our staff members of established policies and procedures is referred to the Office of Professional Review (OPR) for investigation and disciplinary action.
4. How can I tell the difference between an immigration officer and a Sheriff’s officer?
The Cook County Sheriff’s Office sworn deputies wear uniform identifiers that indicate they work for the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies will not wear face coverings to obstruct their identification and will provide their name and badge number when requested.
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- Uniforms have “Cook County Sheriff’s Office” patches on both shoulders.
- Vests have a “Sheriff” patch on the back.
- Deputies will wear an ID tag on their chest displaying their name or a badge number.
5. Tell us some of your priorities and your mission.
Under the provisions of the Illinois State Constitution, the Sheriff has three primary responsibilities:
- Providing safety and security to Cook County Courthouse facilities,
- Administering the Cook County Department of Corrections (Jail), and
- Protecting and serving the citizens of Cook County with policing throughout the county, as the Chief Law Enforcement Agency in Cook County.
Our highest priority is the safety of individuals in Cook County. We enforce criminal statutes, to prevent harm, to respond to victims of crime, and to keep our community safe.
The mission of the Cook County Sheriff’s Office is to deliver community protection, social justice, and peace of mind to the residents of Cook County. We aspire to do what is right and just on behalf of the residents of Cook County and are committed to upholding our core values in delivering on our mission with integrity, accountability, transparency and professionalism.
For a full list of the statutory mandates of the Sheriff, visit: 55 ILCS 5/Div. 3-6.
6. What is your policy on immigration matters?
The Cook County Sheriff’s Office is not involved in civil immigration enforcement. We do not work with ICE or any other federal agency on civil immigration enforcement. Our deputies will not ask or disclose someone’s immigration status. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office does not track immigration status.
7. How does your jail work with ICE?
The Cook County Sheriff’s Office will not notify federal immigration officials when booking individuals at the Jail. No individual who is otherwise ready to be released should continue to be detained solely for the purpose of notification and/or based solely on the existence of an ICE detainer or civil immigration warrant.
8. What if I have a complaint about a Cook County Sheriff’s Office Employee?
If you have a complaint about one of our employees, please follow this link to file a complaint with the Office of Professional Review.
9. What should I do if I experience or witness federal immigration enforcement activity in the community or at or around a courthouse?
If you or someone you know feels threatened or may be in danger, immediately call 911 so that local law enforcement can respond quickly. As explained above, our deputies cannot physically prevent federal agents from carrying out what they claim are their official duties. However, when responding to an incident, Cook County Sheriff’s Office deputies and police officers will document the incident in an incident report.