Illinois lawmaker calls for Aurora mayor’s resignation over alleged ICE
'doxxing'
[May 18, 2026]
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributor
(The Center Square) – Illinois state Rep. Adam Niemerg, who serves on
the Immigration and Human Rights Committee, is calling for the
resignation of John Laesch after social media posts and videos
circulated online alleging the Aurora mayor shared the live locations of
federal immigration agents operating in the city.
The controversy gained national attention after the conservative social
media account Libs of TikTok posted footage accusing Laesch of “doxxing”
ICE agents and tracking their movements in Aurora.
The post claimed the mayor was “actively protecting foreign murderers,
rapists, and pedophiles” and demanded his resignation.
Niemerg sharply criticized the mayor’s actions, arguing they endangered
federal officers attempting to apprehend violent offenders.
“It’s terrible to see elected officials do this to federal immigration
authorities who are just out on the street trying to arrest violent
illegal immigrants,” Niemerg told The Center Square. “They have to worry
about elected officials posting their locations or getting in the way
during an apprehension.”
Niemerg said the alleged conduct amounted to interference with law
enforcement and accused Aurora leadership of prioritizing politics over
public safety.
“You’re putting these folks in harm’s way by doing this,” Niemerg said.
“This mayor should absolutely resign. This is horrible behavior.”
The controversy follows months of escalating tension in Aurora over
immigration enforcement.
In 2025, Laesch publicly condemned ICE operations in the city,
describing federal enforcement efforts as “snatchings of community
members” and pledging support for community patrols monitoring ICE
activity.
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Aurora officials have also backed policies limiting cooperation with
immigration authorities. Last year, the Aurora City Council approved
an ordinance restricting the use of city property for civil
immigration enforcement activities.
Critics, including Niemerg, argue those sanctuary-style policies
make cooperation between local and federal law enforcement more
difficult.
“The sanctuary state policies, the sanctuary city policies make it
very difficult for federal law enforcement and local law enforcement
to work hand in hand,” Niemerg said.
When asked whether he believed the mayor’s alleged sharing of ICE
locations constituted “doxxing,” Niemerg said Illinois laws
concerning harassment and disclosure of personal information should
be enforced.
“Yes, absolutely,” Niemerg said. “Those laws need to be enforced on
this individual.”
Supporters of alert systems tracking ICE activity argue communities
have a right to know when immigration enforcement operations are
occurring nearby.
Niemerg dismissed those arguments, saying law enforcement operations
should not be treated differently because they involve immigration
enforcement.
“They don’t care about the right to know whenever law enforcement is
apprehending a violent criminal,” Niemerg said. “But they care about
this when it comes to illegal immigration. I find that
hypocritical.”
Laesch has previously defended public communication surrounding ICE
activity, saying the city has sought to protect vulnerable residents
while complying with Illinois’ TRUST Act, which limits local
cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Laesch did not respond to The Center Square’s request for comment.
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