“It’s hypocritical, performative and not helping whatever cause they think they have; it’s actually destructive to our community,” Brown told North Cook News.

The policy states that residents can access village services regardless of immigration status. It also says local authorities will not inquire about or track immigration information except when legally required and outlines privacy protections and limits on cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

The policy also sets rules for the use of municipal property: “No one is authorized to use Village facilities or parking lots for purposes other than their intended use nor impede the ability of the Village to conduct its operations on its property without prior approval.”

It also directs residents on reporting concerns about federal immigration activity to the Illinois Accountability Commission.

The discussion comes during the Department of Homeland Security’s ICE-led Operation Midway Blitz, which DHS says has produced about 3,000 arrests across Illinois and Indiana over two months, including individuals with prior charges related to drug offenses, assault, theft and other violent crimes.

The social media account Libs of TikTok highlighted Northbrook’s policy on X, saying it limits cooperation with federal immigration authorities and provides information on avoiding ICE detainment.

“The City of Northbrook, IL, posted an entire page to their website detailing their commitment to protecting illegal aliens, stating that they will NOT work with ICE, won't track the immigration status of residents, and won't allow federal agents to use facilities,” Libs of TikTok said on X. 

“They also give advice on how to avoid ICE detainment and encourage them to report ICE activity in order to "prevent future harm" to ‘communities.’" 

“This city needs to be investigated immediately. @DHSgov @ICEgov.”

Brown, a longtime Northbrook resident, said he first noticed attention surrounding the policy after it was shared online. He said the village’s political leadership has become aligned with Democratic activists.

“The Democrats were all over the so-called Northbrook Caucus, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Democrats of Northfield Township, or at least, as I like to call them, DON’T,” he said. “They’re ideologues, they’re hyperpartisan, and this type of policy that they put out really comes as no surprise.”

Brown said the policy could affect federal officers working in the area.

“What they’re doing is creating the type of environment that is perilous for a federal law enforcement officer in Northbrook,” Brown said. “They’re encouraging protests in nearby Deerfield at (a hotel where ICE agents are staying), and they’re obstructing the federal government from enforcing its laws.”

He also said state and local policies, including the Trust Act, limit federal immigration enforcement efforts.

“You're setting these guys out, and they’re sitting ducks—basically aiding and embedding people who could have a criminal history,” Brown said. “Part of the problem that ICE is up against is that they can't work with local authorities to figure out who the bigger threats are.”

Brown also pointed to recent incidents in the region. 

“There was an incident last week,” he said. “Our township clerk was over there recording it and had people show up to ‘quote-unquote’ protests when what they’re trying to do is obstruct the law enforcement from apprehending an illegal immigrant with a violent criminal background, including gun crimes.”

Reflecting on broader immigration politics, Brown added that Illinois’ population decline and outmigration create incentives for policymakers to encourage new arrivals, framing the issue in both demographic and political terms.

“Illinois has had an outmigration issue, and we see those stats,” Brown said.

Illinois continues to face high property taxes and an unemployment rate of 5.3%. A U-Haul report on 2024 migration trends ranks Illinois 45th in net customer moves, noting continued movement to states such as Texas, South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida and Tennessee.

Brown said population shifts may have political implications.

“If you can bring in people from another source because they're not staying and not coming in from other states, you can at least keep your population somewhat respectable and not lose congressional seats,” he said. “I think that's a big problem. Congressional seats and federal funding based on population is a big problem.”

“If you can get these people here and get some type of amnesty and get them on the road to citizenship, there are people who will vote Democratic,” he said.

He also said many immigrants do not necessarily share the political views expected by Illinois Democrats.

“The countries they are fleeing are so corrupt and socialistic that they have no opportunity to better their lives, and they see the United States as a better option,” Brown said. “Those who come here and want to work in good faith, when they become citizens, do not want to turn Illinois into Venezuela part two, Nicaragua part two, or Mexico part two.”

Brown said the immigration policy aligns with what he sees as political changes in the village.

“Northbrook used to be a sensibly run community, and it's since been taken over by ideologues who would be better suited agitating for U.S. Congress than running the village,” Brown said. “We can talk about all their failures.”

He referenced the decline of Northbrook Court, the village’s purchase of the Grainger building for potential affordable housing that did not materialize, and the conversion of the former Green Acres Golf Course into a water treatment plant.

“Northbrook Court used to be one of the retail jewels of the North Shore, and the village had a large hand in Northbrook Court being the ghost town it is now,” Brown said.