CHICAGO – January 25, 2016 – Today, President Trump signed two executive actions purporting to strengthen border security and immigration enforcement, including building further border barriers and stripping funding from municipalities that have “sanctuary” or “welcoming” ordinances in place. “Enhanced border enforcement will not address the issues within our broken immigration system,” said Lawrence Benito, chief executive officer of Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR). “Migration from Mexico has been net zero for the past several years, and the Border Patrol is already the largest law enforcement agency in the country. Additionally, federal courts have already and consistently ruled that under our Constitution, cities can refuse to cooperate with immigration enforcement, and the federal government to withhold funds from local municipalities to force them to collaborate. If Trump follows through on this threat, he will see us in court.”