Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, D., signed a bill into law that allows non-US citizens to become police officers in the state, angering critics who slammed the idea of foreigners arresting American citizens as “a fundamentally bad idea.”
Illinois House Bill 3751 will no longer require US citizenship as a qualification to become a police officer in the state.
The bill was signed by the Democrat governor on Friday and will go into effect on January 1, 2024, despite facing heavy opposition from GOP lawmakers and prominent police groups.
The bill “provides that an individual who is not a citizen but is legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law is authorized to apply for the position of police officer, subject to all requirements and limitations, other than citizenship, to which other applicants are subject,” HB3751 reads, adding that non-US citizens must be able to obtain, carry, purchase, or otherwise possess a firearm under federal law to apply for the job.
Immigrants who remain in the country under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Act, are also entitled to apply for a position to join law enforcement, the bill states.
Federal law currently forbids non-US citizens to serve as police officers and deputies.
