Just a reminder of Roberto's agenda: "Fair County Ordinance" Introduced By Cook County Commissioner Roberto Maldonado Commissioner Roberto Maldonado introduced a resolution today declaring Cook County as a “Fair County Ordinance” for immigrants, meaning authorities could not inquire about their immigration status in routine interactions. The resolution, similar to the City of Chicago’s ordinance, prevents county employees from assisting with immigration enforcement, reporting suspected illegal immigrants to federal authorities, or demanding immigration papers during routine traffic stops in Cook County. “Hard-working immigrants and their families should feel safe and welcome in Cook County and we must do what we can to provide the environment necessary to keep our families united. Immigrants are an asset to our economy, our culture and our future in Cook County. I want to make sure Cook County sets an example of acceptance and support,” Maldonado said. “That decision to crack down on undocumented immigrants on Carpentersville is another show of racism and unfair treatment to immigrants,” said Maldonado. “Sanctuary” Municipalities Are Increasing Cities and communities all across the United States, from Chicago to Los Angeles to Minneapolis, have adopted policies prohibiting their municipal agencies from inquiring into immigration status and unilaterally enforcing immigration law. This growing "sanctuary" movement in the country stretches from San Francisco, California, to Cambridge, Massachusetts. In addition, the California communities of Maywood, Huntington Park, and Coachella have passed legislation to ensure fairness and protections for immigrants. “We need comprehensive immigration reform legislation that will uphold our nation’s basic values of fairness, equal opportunity and respect for the law,” Commissioner Roberto Maldonado said. Ordinance Spurred by Mother’s Plight Commissioner Maldonado, joined by a coalition of Hispanic elected officials from city, county, and state government, supports comprehensive immigration reform legislation on the federal level. Maldonado said, "We need comprehensive ... legislation that will uphold our nation’s basic values of fairness, equal opportunity, and respect for the law, while keeping families united regardless of their immigration status.” Maldonado and the coalition, which includes lawmakers such as State Senator Martin Sandoval and Alderman Ricardo Muñoz, were spurred into action by the plight of immigration activist Elvira Arellano, 31, who has been seeking sanctuary in Adalberto Methodist Church in Humboldt Park for months. A mother of a 7-year old son who was born in the U.S. and is a citizen, Arellano faces deportation. The coalition believes the Arellano case, where a family could be torn apart by immigration law, provides a perfect example of why substantive change is needed in immigration law. Maldonado and the coalition, which includes lawmakers