“Our state government doesn’t exist to serve ICE.”

SPRINGFIELD – To protect the privacy and safety of Illinois’ undocumented residents, State Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) passed legislation in the Illinois Senate that would prevent photographs taken for state IDs and driver’s licenses from being shared with federal immigration authorities on Thursday.

“Undocumented residents need to be able to trust our state institutions,” Villanueva said. “It’s impossible to expect that of them if we are sending their facial recognition data directly to authorities. Our state government doesn’t exist to serve ICE.”

The legislation would prohibit the Secretary of State from providing facial recognition search services or photographs with any law enforcement or governmental entity for the purpose of enforcing federal immigration laws. The bill is an initiative of the Secretary of State’s Office.

The legislation, Senate Bill 225, passed in the Illinois Senate and awaits consideration in the Illinois House.