Senate Floor Amendment 1, which is contained in House Bill 3571, would permit counties and cities to hire sheriff’s deputies and police officers who are not citizens. SA 1 would grant noncitizen law enforcement officers arrest powers and other authority provided they are legally permitted to work in the U.S. and have the right to possess and carry firearms.
The measure would also apply to noncitizens who were deferred from immigration actions through the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) process and can legally carry and possess a weapon.
The Illinois State Senate passed HB 3571 / SA 1 by a vote of 37-20 on May 18. The House followed by passing it a day later on a 100-7 vote. It now goes to the governor’s desk for approval.