Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson on Monday signed an executive order designating “ICE-free zones” across the city and barring federal immigration authorities from using city-owned property as staging areas for enforcement operations.

The order prohibits Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from using locations such as schools, libraries, parks, and other municipal sites for logistical planning tied to immigration law enforcement.

Announcing the policy, Johnson said, “We have a rogue, reckless group of heavily armed, masked individuals roaming throughout our city that are not accountable to the people of Chicago. Their actions put all Chicagoans at risk.”

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He framed the action as a public safety measure and described the new restrictions as protecting residents and community spaces from federal enforcement activity.

The White House Rapid Response team criticized the move within hours of the announcement, posting a statement on X.

“This is SICK,” the post said.

“He is aiding and abetting criminal illegal immigrant killers, rapists, traffickers, and gang bangers.”

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The statement accused Johnson of adopting a policy that would make it more difficult for federal officers to carry out immigration enforcement against dangerous offenders.

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In outlining the scope of the executive order, Johnson cited specific examples of places he said should remain off limits for federal staging.

“Our school parking lots are not for ICE to load their weapons; they are for Chicagoans who drop their kids off to learn. Our libraries are not for ICE to prepare for a raid, they’re for Chicagoans to read and relax,” he said. “Our parks are not for ICE to set up checkpoints; they are for Chicagoans to play and enjoy.”

City officials said the directive applies to all city-controlled property and facilities.

The order followed reports that a Chicago Police Department “Chief of Patrol” had instructed officers not to respond to requests for assistance from immigration enforcement officers who were under attack following a shooting.

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The reports circulated as federal and local agencies continued to address a series of confrontations involving immigration enforcement in and around the city.

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Johnson’s executive order arrives amid ongoing debate over the role of local governments in federal immigration enforcement and the extent to which city resources can be used by federal agencies.

City Hall has publicly aligned with policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration operations on municipal property, while federal officials have argued that local restrictions complicate efforts to detain and remove individuals accused of serious crimes.

President Donald Trump has publicly criticized Johnson’s handling of public safety.

“Chicago’s a mess, you have an incompetent mayor – grossly incompetent – and we’ll straighten that one out probably next,” the president said when asked about conditions in the city.

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The White House Rapid Response post on X reiterated that position by linking Johnson’s order to broader concerns about violent offenders and transnational criminal activity.

Chicago’s crime levels remain part of the public conversation. The city has recorded a total of 331 homicides through early October of this year.

Over Labor Day weekend, at least 58 people were shot, and eight were killed across the city.

Those figures have fueled continued calls from residents and officials for stronger enforcement and coordination among city, state, and federal authorities.

Under the terms of the executive order, ICE may not set up staging areas on city property for enforcement activities.

The directive does not prevent federal officers from operating within city limits but restricts the use of municipal facilities for pre-operational planning and equipment staging.

City officials said the order is effective immediately and applies to all relevant departments and property overseen by the city.

The White House said the policy will be reviewed in the context of federal efforts to target criminal networks and repeat offenders in major metropolitan areas.

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In its X post, the Rapid Response team said the administration would continue to prioritize operations against violent criminals and pursue cooperation where possible with local jurisdictions.

City officials did not announce additional guidance beyond the text of the executive order but said they would communicate procedures to department heads responsible for municipal facilities.

As the policy takes effect, federal and city officials remain at odds over the use of local property for immigration enforcement activities.

The administration’s statement on X and Johnson’s executive order outline contrasting approaches to public safety and federal-local cooperation, with further developments expected as agencies implement their respective directives.