Fact Check: Between mid-January and April, there were 262 searches on immigration-related matters in Mount Prospect alone.

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 between mid-January and April is supported by statements from Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias. He reported that between January 14 and April 30, there were indeed 262 searches for immigration-related matters conducted using automatic license plate reader (ALPR) data in Mount Prospect (CBS News, 6abc, Journal Topics). This information was part of a broader investigation into the misuse of ALPR data by local law enforcement agencies.

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim comes directly from official statements made by Giannoulias, who has been vocal about the illegal access and use of ALPR data by law enforcement in Illinois, particularly in relation to abortion and immigration matters. The reports indicate that the Mount Prospect Police Department shared this data with out-of-state authorities, which is a violation of Illinois law that prohibits such actions for the purpose of tracking individuals seeking abortions or determining immigration status (Illinois News, Patch).

The sources cited are credible, as they include reports from established news organizations and official statements from government officials. The consistency of the information across multiple outlets lends further credibility to the claim. For instance, both CBS News and 6abc report the same figure and context, reinforcing the accuracy of the claim.

However, it is important to note that while the data is verified, the implications of its use and the legal ramifications are still under investigation, which could evolve as more information becomes available.

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 multiple reliable sources confirming the figure provided by Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, along with the context surrounding the misuse of ALPR data.

Sources

1. Giannoulias accuses Texas of illegally accessing Mount ...
2. Illinois officials investigate license-plate data shared with ...
3. Secretary Of State Investigating Mount Prospect Police
4. News | Village of Mount Prospect, ...
5. Illinois license plate cameras used illegally by out-of-state ...
6. Official: Texas authorities illegally access Illinois data to ...
7. Police accused of misusing license plate data in hunt for ...
8. Mount Prospect License-Plate Reader Data Shared ...