Chicago City Wire

The National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and the Illinois State FOP issued a joint statement today condemning the Chicago Police Department for reportedly ordering officers not to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who were under threat during an incident in the city.

ICE agents came under attack after being surrounded by a group of protesters, and nearby Chicago officers were instructed not to intervene. The FOP called the order “shocking,” saying it violated the core law enforcement principle of mutual aid among officers.

Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police, said he was “shocked and appalled” by the reports. 

“Let me be clear, both the National FOP and the Illinois FOP believe that when an officer calls for assistance, you answer, no matter what,” Yoes said.

Illinois FOP President Chris Southwood said the directive endangered lives and contradicted the values of policing. 

“What would have happened if the local police were facing threats and nearby federal officers were told not to assist?” Southwood asked. “Whether you agree about immigration enforcement or not, when a law enforcement officer is in trouble, nothing should stand in the way of fellow officers rendering assistance,” he said.

Yoes added that “now more than ever, police officers need to band together in order to protect our brothers and sisters who wear the badge,” calling on Chicago leadership to ensure that no similar incident occurs in the future.

Chicago has also maintained a “sanctuary city” policy restricting collaboration with ICE agents, said the FOP statement.

The FOP release cited Department of Homeland Security data showing a “1,000 percent increase in violence” against ICE agents since the start of 2025. The organization said the statistic underscores the growing danger faced by immigration officers on the ground. The organization said it will continue to seek answers from city officials and reaffirmed that “no law or policy should prevent officers from protecting one another,” according to the organization.

The Fraternal Order of Police is the largest organization representing law enforcement officers in the United States, with more than 374,000 members across over 2,100 local lodges. The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police represents approximately 34,000 sworn and retired officers statewide, advocating for officer safety, legal protections, and collective bargaining rights