National police union calls Chicago's refusal to help ICE agents 'shocking' violation of duty

October 5, 2025

National police union calls Chicago's refusal to help ICE agents 'shocking' violation of duty

ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan joined 'Fox & Friends' to discuss the latest on the investigation into an attack on ICE agents that left one migrant dead, California's passage of a mask ban for agents and more.

The nation’s largest police union condemned reports that Chicago officers were told not to help ICE agents surrounded by protesters, calling it "shocking" and a violation of law enforcement ’s duty to protect fellow officers in danger.

Presidents of the National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and Illinois State FOP expressed shock at reports that Chicago's chief of patrol directed officers not to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents as they were surrounded by protesters on Saturday.

"Details are still emerging, but it appears that officers from the Chicago Police Department were ordered not to assist a group of ICE agents while they were physically threatened by what appeared to be an angry mob," said National FOP President Patrick Yoes in a press release. "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 and Illinois State FOP President Chris Southwood said the directive violated the most basic principle of law enforcement — officers helping other officers in danger.

EX-POLICE CHIEF WARNS CHICAGO COPS WILL GET HURT BECAUSE MAYOR JOHNSON WON’T HELP ICE

Federal law enforcement agents break up protesters outside of an immigrant processing center with a barrage of tear gas and pepper balls on September 27, 2025 in Broadview, Illinois. (Getty Images)

They cited the Illinois Trust Act, which limits local police involvement in immigration enforcement , and said it is contributing to a breakdown between local and federal law enforcement, particularly in sanctuary cities like Chicago.