Wheeling board could ban ICE operations on village property

The Wheeling village board is expected to vote Monday on a resolution that would prohibit the use of village property for civil immigration enforcement staging or operations.

The potential ban comes after Wheeling officials said federal immigration agents approached a village fire station Saturday asking to use its parking lot.

A citizen group arrived at the scene and began blowing whistles, Village President Patrick Horcher said.

“That was enough to chase away the (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) guys,” Horcher said Sunday.

According to a Facebook post from the village, federal agents showed up at Fire Station 44, 499 S. Milwaukee Ave., and asked to use the lot. A firefighter immediately contacted a supervisor and he agents then left voluntarily, officials added.

The village’s post stressed that no agents entered the facility, no village equipment or resources were used, and the village did not participate in, assist or aid any federal immigration operations.

Horcher said the resolution up for a vote Monday is similar to measures recently passed in Lake County, Cook County, Chicago and Evanston.

“I don't think the way the border was handled under Biden was right. I think an open border is ridiculous,” Horcher said Sunday. “I also think it's wrong the way Trump is handling it. I don't believe having blackout SUVs driving around the country grabbing people is a good idea. I don't believe the two wrongs make another right.

“So until they can sort out something better, I am not interested in allowing the blackout SUVs sit on village property just to figure out where they're going to go.”

The Daily Herald reached out to the Department of Homeland Security and is awaiting comment.