Will County Gazette

Illinois House of Rep. District 86 candidate Jim Lanham has launched a strong critique against current illegal alien policies and sanctuary city practices, amid rising concerns over gang violence. 

Lanham's remarks come in the wake of disturbing reports from Chicago and Colorado, where gangs like Tren de Aragua have been linked to takeovers of apartment buildings and violent crimes.

“It’s not just these gangs; too many criminals are making headlines who shouldn’t be here!” Lanham told the Will County Gazette. “Stop letting any of them in. Period. Stop encouraging them with the benefits the state is paying, which amounts to $628 million dollars and rising.” 

Lanham, who is a Joliet resident, pointed to a recent incident in which a 22-year-old woman, Marlianyle Velasquez-Uzca, who is an illegal alien, was released from the Will County Jail despite prosecutors' objections after she allegedly stabbed a man in the neck and threw his clothes off the balcony during a violent outburst at the EconoLodge in Shorewood.

Velasquez-Uzca, charged with aggravated battery and domestic battery, admitted to attacking the victim with a knife and her fists but could not explain her actions, according to court records. Although she was arrested for being an inadmissible alien last December, Judge Zachary Pollack ordered her release, requiring her to stay away from both the victim and the EconoLodge.

Lanham argues that the significant financial burden on the state is exacerbated by policies that, in his view, undermine public safety. His comments come after recent events, including 911 calls from Chicago reporting illegal alien gang members, allegedly connected to Tren de Aragua, had taken over an apartment building.

A TikTok user, claiming knowledge of Chicago street gangs, even issued a threatening message, saying, “This ain’t Colorado. This is just like where you’re from. The only difference is… we got switches.”

A “switch” refers to a device that converts a semi-automatic gun into an automatic weapon.

In Aurora, Colo., similar concerns have been raised after video footage surfaced showing gang members, with long rifles, overrunning apartment buildings. 

NBC Chicago also confirmed the presence of Tren de Aragua gang members in Illinois. 

Lanham’s criticisms also echo broader concerns about sanctuary city policies, highlighted by the recent case of Jean Torres-Roman, a Tren de Aragua member.

Torres-Roman was arrested in Chicago for illegal possession of a weapon but was released by a judge, despite a request from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain him. Just a month later, he was involved in a violent jewelry store heist in Denver. 

His subsequent arrest in New Mexico has intensified debate over the impact of sanctuary policies on law enforcement efforts against criminal gangs.

“This situation underscores the serious implications of sanctuary city policies,” Lanham said. “Our state legislature needs to stop wasting taxpayer money on these programs and address the root of the problem to ensure our communities are safe.” 

The TRUST Act of 2017 made Illinois a sanctuary state, protecting undocumented immigrants from federal enforcement and sparking significant controversy. 

With nearly 700,000 undocumented residents costing taxpayers billions annually, organized crime activities, including human trafficking and drug dealing linked to foreign cartels, have surged.

In 2023, Illinois' Medicaid program for undocumented immigrants, starting in 2020, was projected to cost nearly $1 billion annually due to expanded coverage, but costs far exceeded initial estimates, with only $300 million allocated of the anticipated $990 million for the year. 

Republican lawmakers have urged a pause and audit, due to unsustainable expenses, while Governor J.B. Pritzker and Democrats have defended the program as a vital investment, despite budgetary constraints.

House District 86 is currently held by State Rep. Lawrence Walsh Jr. (D-Elwood). The 86th district encompasses all or parts of Channahon, Elwood, Joliet, Ingalls Park, Preston Heights and Rockdale.