Illinois enacts bill allowing noncitizens to join police force

(NewsNation) — Amid an alarming shortage of police officers across the country, there’s a bold new proposal that might help solve the problem: filling police ranks with non-U.S. citizens.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill last week that would allow non-U.S. citizens to wear the badge.

Under House Bill 3751, individuals with legal work authorization in the country, such as permanent residents and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, can become police officers in the state.

The bill’s sponsor, Democratic Illinois state Rep. Barbara Hernandez, joined “On Balance With Leland Vittert” to defend the legislation, saying, “Many people think this is for illegal immigrants. This is not the case.”