Protecting Families and Immigrant Communities from Harmful Courtroom Practices
September 16, 2025
The Honorable Timothy C. Evans
Chief Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County
Richard J. Daley Center
50 W. Washington Street, Suite 2600
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Re: Protecting Families and Immigrant Communities from Harmful Courtroom Practices
Your Honor:
On behalf of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois (WBAI), I write to express our urgent concern regarding the safety of immigrant litigants and their families in light of the recent escalation of immigration enforcement activities by ICE and the Department of Homeland Security in the Chicagoland area.
Parents and caregivers in immigrant households already shoulder extraordinary burdens in accessing justice. The added fear and reality of being detained by ICE or immigration officials when required to appear in person at a courthouse creates a dangerous and unacceptable dilemma. These threats force immigrant families to confront impossible risks, including family separation, the loss of legal rights, and the breakdown of confidence in our courts as safe and accessible institutions. These risks threaten not only the rights of immigrant families but also the integrity and accessibility of our courts. Disturbing encounters have already occurred this past week and, given recent comments by federal agencies, may continue and increase in the coming days and weeks.
The WBAI strongly urges the Court to adopt policies that expand and normalize remote appearances, particularly for non-substantive matters, such as case status updates, scheduling, and other matters that can be heard and disposed of in a remote setting. During and since the COVID-19 pandemic, these tools have proved highly effective, preserving judicial efficiency while reducing burdens on litigants. In today’s climate, they are just as critical – offering a practical safeguard against the real and devastating risk of family separation and unlawful detainment.
We also respectfully encourage the Court to consider posting clear signage in courthouses advising litigants of their rights if approached by federal agents, and to issue guidance affirming that immigration enforcement activities within or near courthouses are inconsistent with the administration of justice. Taking these steps will help ensure that all individuals—regardless of immigration status—can safely and confidently engage with our courts without fear of detention or deportation.
As one of the oldest and largest bar associations in Illinois, the WBAI has long been dedicated to protecting the rights of women, children, and families. At this critical moment, it is imperative that our courts act swiftly and decisively.
We urge you to exercise your authority to direct Cook County judges to provide greater latitude for remote appearances and to adopt measures that protect immigrant litigants and their families from harmful enforcement practices. Doing so will reaffirm the Court’s commitment to equal access to justice, the protection of families, and the dignity and safety of all court users.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. We would welcome the opportunity to meet with you or your staff to discuss these concerns further.
Respectfully,
Katie Twardak
President
Women’s Bar Association of Illinois