Fact Check: "Between mid-January and April, there were 262 searches on immigration-related matters in Mount Prospect alone."
What We Know
The claim that there were 262 searches on immigration-related matters in Mount Prospect, Illinois, between mid-January and April is supported by statements from Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias. He reported that the Mount Prospect police department's license plate reader system was accessed for immigration-related searches 262 times during this period. This information was made public during a news conference addressing the misuse of license plate data by law enforcement agencies, particularly concerning out-of-state requests related to abortion and immigration (Capitol News Illinois, 6ABC).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim comes directly from official statements made by a high-ranking state official, which adds credibility to the information. Giannoulias emphasized that the searches violated state law, which prohibits the sharing of license plate data for tracking individuals based on immigration status or for abortion-related investigations (Capitol News Illinois). This context underscores the significance of the searches, as they not only reflect the frequency of immigration-related inquiries but also highlight potential legal violations by the Mount Prospect police department.
The reliability of the sources is strong, as they originate from reputable news outlets and official government statements. The information was corroborated by multiple reports, including those from 6ABC and CBS News, which reported on the same events and provided additional context regarding the implications of these searches.
Conclusion
The claim that there were 262 searches on immigration-related matters in Mount Prospect between mid-January and April is True. This conclusion is based on verified statements from Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias and corroborated by multiple reputable news sources. The context of these searches raises significant concerns about the misuse of license plate reader data and adherence to state laws.
Sources
- Illinois license plate cameras used illegally by out-of-state police ...
- Illinois officials investigate license-plate data shared ... - 6ABC
- Illinois officials investigate license-plate data shared with police ...
- Giannoulias accuses Texas of illegally accessing Mount ...
- SRN - US News - Taylorville Daily News
