Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson on Wednesday unveiled a city snowplow named "Abolish ICE," selecting the phrase from more than 13,000 submissions in the city's annual "You Name a Plow" contest. The unveiling took place in front of the city's massive salt dome, just days after a local college student was allegedly murdered by a man described by authorities as being in the United States illegally.
The snowplow naming drew immediate scrutiny given its timing. Last week, Sheridan Gorman, a student at Loyola University Chicago, was killed allegedly by Jose Medina, 25, who was captured by U.S. Border Patrol on May 9, 2023, and subsequently released into the U.S. under the Biden administration. Medina has been charged in connection with the alleged killing.
Johnson has been a vocal critic of federal immigration enforcement. He has repeatedly criticized the Trump administration's use of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, including recent deployments to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport to assist the Transportation Security Administration.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive supporters of Johnson and the "Abolish ICE" slogan argue that the movement represents Chicago's legacy of advocating for justice and human rights. Johnson's office stated that the name "derives from our city's legacy of standing up for justice, dignity and the rights of all people, no matter where they come from."
The mayor's supporters contend that local sanctuary policies protect vulnerable communities and that opposing aggressive federal enforcement is a matter of civil rights. They note that Chicago has long positioned itself as a immigrant-friendly city and that the snowplow naming reflects municipal values.
At Wednesday's unveiling, Johnson addressed questions about whether the event should have been rescheduled given Gorman's death. "This is a terrible tragedy," he said. "This tragedy is not going to deter us from our work. In fact, it's going to challenge us all to double down on our efforts to ensure that we are protecting every single individual across neighborhoods."
Progressive activists argue that conflating individual criminal acts with broader immigration policy misunderstands the purpose of sanctuary cities. They say Chicago's policies are designed to encourage cooperation with local police and to protect crime victims and witnesses from fear of deportation.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative critics, including some Chicago City Council members, have condemned both the snowplow naming and the city's sanctuary policies in the wake of Gorman's death.
Chicago Democratic Alderman Raymond Lopez, who has been a frequent critic of Chicago's sanctuary policies, called Gorman's death "100% avoidable."
"The culmination of the choices made here in the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois to protect noncitizens even when they choose to engage in dangerous criminal behavior, that mindset has to change," Lopez said in an interview. "That mindset has to stop because Sheridan and the other 1,200 other individuals across this country who've been victims ... victimized by noncitizens deserved to be honored in a change in mindset and law."
Republicans and conservative commentators argue that the "Abolish ICE" message sends a welcoming signal to individuals who enter the country illegally, regardless of any criminal history. They say such policies prioritize protecting noncitizens over the safety of American citizens.
National Republican figures have pointed to Gorman's death as evidence of what they describe as the dangers of loose immigration policies and sanctuary jurisdictions. They argue that cities like Chicago should cooperate with federal immigration enforcement rather than obstruct it.
What the Numbers Show
The snowplow naming contest received 13,000 submissions from Chicago residents. The "Abolish ICE" entry was selected as the winning name, reflecting a significant number of residents who submitted or supported the phrase.
Jose Medina, the suspect in Gorman's alleged murder, was apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol on May 9, 2023. He was released into the United States under the Biden administration's immigration policies, which at times allowed asylum seekers to be released pending court hearings.
According to data from federal immigration authorities, thousands of individuals have been released into the U.S. under similar circumstances since 2021. The exact number of individuals who have been released and subsequently accused of violent crimes varies depending on the source and methodology used.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has acknowledged "real failures" in the immigration system following Gorman's death, though he has also defended Illinois's status as a welcoming state.
The Bottom Line
The "Abolish ICE" snowplow naming has become a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement and sanctuary city policies. Johnson's decision to proceed with the unveiling despite the timing has drawn both praise from progressive supporters and criticism from conservative opponents.
The incident highlights the tension between local policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities and concerns about public safety. Gorman's death has intensified calls for policy changes from critics who argue that sanctuary policies contribute to victimization of residents.
Johnson has doubled down on Chicago's approach, stating the city will continue to oppose ICE presence in neighborhoods. The debate is likely to persist as federal immigration enforcement continues and as more details emerge about the circumstances surrounding Gorman's death.
What to watch: Congressional Republicans have announced investigations into sanctuary city policies. Immigration remains a central issue in state and local elections across the country, with the Chicago mayor's approach serving as a point of contention ahead of future electoral cycles.