Locals react to two new laws designed to protect undocumented children
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) — With a signature, Governor JB Pritzker gave children of undocumented immigrants a new way to earn citizenship.
Some call this a victory for the children of Illinois.
"There's just an added protection for my child," said SIAN Board Member Valeria Cueto.
But others have a different point of view and said this is frustrating to them.
"Governor Pritzker does not speak for me," said Director of Illinois Minuteman Project Rosanna Pulido.
Two new laws look to help undocumented children in Illinois. Some said this is a chance for undocumented children to have a better future.
"It's at least making some kind of inroads in this just incredibly unjust system that has been to me cycling out of control. It's just mitigating a little bit of that violence against immigrant communities," said Cueto.
Others said the issue is complex to them.
"Americans who live in Illinois want our laws to be enforced. They want ICE to do their job and we want that for safe communities," said Pulido.
Under the new laws, two things can now happen.
Number one: if the parents of an undocumented child are detained or deported, the child can still live with a legal guardian for up to two years.
The second law allows undocumented children to get visas, which is an easier way to get US citizenship.
"I have a hard time believing that there are people who would want to leave their children behind," said Pulido.
But some are curious to see how these new laws will impact the state.
"I am extremely excited that Governor Pritzker is signing legislation in defense of immigrants in our community," said Cueto.
As of now, there is not an exact prediction on how many children this could help in Illinois and the governor has in the past mentioned he does not agree with President Trump's views on immigration.
Governor Pritzker’s camp released the following state in regard to signing the laws:
“The accomplishments we have secured together have been done in the name of this shared belief: Nobody should ever be treated as less than a person because of where they were born,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “That’s not the message coming from Washington. Just this morning, the Trump administration announced a new class of undocumented immigrants to be subjected to expedited deportation. Once again, they are demonizing people who don’t look and think like they do. There is no place for that in Illinois. I’m proud to sign legislation that offers greater stability to the lives of immigrant children who deserve all the hope we can give them.”
