Cities Across U.S. Adopt Chicago's Playbook to Challenge Federal Immigration Crackdown

Mayors from Boston to Los Angeles follow Mayor Brandon Johnson's lead in implementing measures to protect immigrant communities.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 7:04pm

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A vibrant, abstract painting featuring overlapping, geometric shapes and waves of color in shades of blue, grey, and green, conceptually representing the coordinated resistance of local governments against federal immigration enforcement.Cities across the U.S. band together to challenge the federal government's aggressive immigration crackdown.Providence Today

Mayors and local officials across the country have embraced policies pioneered by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to push back against the Trump administration's aggressive federal immigration enforcement. From banning ICE agents from using city property to directing police to work with demonstrators, cities representing over 30 million Americans have implemented measures modeled on Chicago's approach.

Why it matters

The coordinated effort by cities to challenge the federal government's immigration crackdown represents a significant escalation in the ongoing battle over immigration policy. By aligning their strategies, these local leaders are demonstrating the power of collective action in standing up to the Trump administration's hardline stance.

The details

After Chicago began implementing a series of executive orders to curb federal immigration enforcement, including banning ICE agents from using city property, other major cities like Los Angeles, Seattle, and New York have followed suit. These local laws and policies are aimed at protecting immigrant communities, managing protests, and investigating allegations of wrongdoing by federal agents.

  • In January 2026, Alameda County and the city of Oakland created their own ICE-free zones after discussions with Mayor Johnson's office.
  • In March 2026, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a proposal to develop an ordinance creating ICE-free zones on county property after talks with Chicago officials.

The players

Mayor Brandon Johnson

The mayor of Chicago who pioneered the executive orders and policies that have now been adopted by cities across the country to challenge the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors

The governing body of Los Angeles County that unanimously approved a proposal to create ICE-free zones on county property after discussions with Chicago officials.

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What they’re saying

“We're stronger when we stand together. I am grateful for all of the leaders across the country who are following our example and standing up to protect immigrant communities from Trump's attacks on our shared humanity. We will continue to lead in this moment with conviction and moral clarity, using every tool available to us to protect our communities from the worst excesses of this administration's militarized immigration enforcement.”

— Mayor Brandon Johnson

What’s next

The measures implemented by cities across the country are expected to face legal challenges from the federal government, setting up a high-stakes battle over the limits of local authority on immigration enforcement.

The takeaway

By coordinating their response and aligning their strategies, mayors and local officials are demonstrating the power of collective action in standing up to the Trump administration's hardline immigration policies. This grassroots resistance movement could have far-reaching implications for the future of immigration enforcement in the United States.