ICE can deputize Chicago police as ‘customs officers,’ worrying advocates

As the City Council prepares to vote on amendments strengthening the city’s “sanctuary” law, a newly unearthed agreement between Chicago police and federal authorities has some immigrant rights activists concerned.

The agreement — signed by former Supt. Eddie Johnson in April — allows Immigration and Customs Enforcement to “designate certain employees” of the Chicago Police Department as “customs officers.”

Those officers are “authorized to enforce the full range of federal offenses” but are not allowed to “enforce administrative violations of immigration law,” according to a copy of the agreement shared...