(NBC CHICAGO) — As President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown across the Chicago area continues, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias issued a "stern warning" to Federal Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents after reports that agents were "flipping and modifying state-issued license plates on vehicles to carry out their military-style deportation efforts."
“Swapping out Illinois license plates on Illinois licensed vehicles is illegal," Giannoulias said in a video posted to YouTube. "And as Secretary of State, I have zero tolerance for these types of illegal activities."
“No one, including federal agents, is above the law, and we intend to hold them accountable, especially while driving on our roadways," Giannoulias said in a release containing the video. This is a matter of public safety and protecting the wellbeing of our communities.”
Giannoulias' message begins by showing a video that recently circulated on social media that appeared to show an ICE agent standing near a vehicle, saying "you can record all you want. We change the plates out everyday."
He went on to say that his office was investigating the allegations and launching a public, "Plate Watch Hotline" for people to report such activity. To make a report, residents can call the Secretary of State’s Plate Watch Hotline at (312) 814-1730 or email platewatch@ilsos.gov, Giannoulias said.
According to Giannoulias' office, state law says penalties for displaying a plate on a vehicle for which it was not authorized for use, or obscuring or modifying license plates in any way, include fines and potential jail time.
"In addition, the Secretary of State’s office has the authority to suspend or revoke the vehicle’s license plates in such instances," the release said.
The Illinois Secretary of State's Office told NBC Chicago that while there are license exemptions for federally registered vehicles, the focus of the new initiative involves Illinois-registered vehicles, and those with Illinois license plates, which must adhere to the Illinois Motor Vehicle code.
The Secretary of State’s office is charged with enforcing the Motor Vehicle Code, which clearly states – among other things – that Illinois-registered vehicles must display front and back license plates and prohibits the flipping of license plates or modifying them in any way to avoid detection," the office said.
In a statement sent to NBC Chicago, the Department of Homeland Security said its officers comply with federal law, and "consistent with the Supremacy Clause, endeavor to comply with state law except where doing so could compromise or interfere with the federal mission and operations."
"Federal motor vehicle management regulations account for the officer safety, public safety, and mission needs associated with federal investigative and law enforcement duties," the statement said. "Our agents risk their lives every day arresting the worst of the worst criminals from Chicago’s streets to protect the public and stop rampant crime. The Illinois Secretary of State should be thanking them."
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