Illinois Cracks Down on Rental Car License Plate Swapping
Illinois state officials have taken a firm stance against national rental car companies that allow immigration enforcement agents to swap out assigned license plates for others, a practice aimed at disguising vehicles used in enforcement actions. If these companies fail to comply, they could find themselves facing legal repercussions.
The Revelation
Recently obtained documents through the Freedom of Information Act by NBC News reveal that the Illinois Secretary of State’s office notified at least 19 national car rental headquarters about public complaints regarding immigration agents exchanging license plates during Operation Midway Blitz—an extensive deportation operation in the Chicago area. This issue gained significant attention and prompted letters to major players like Alamo, Enterprise, Budget, and Hertz, though many did not comment.
License Plate Revocation
The aftermath of over 600 public complaints has so far resulted in one license plate revocation. This particular plate belonged to a 2026 Chevy Tahoe rented by immigration agents. The targeted rental company, EAN Holdings LLC., which runs Enterprise and multiple other brands, has the option to contest the revocation.
DHS Response
In a letter sent to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Todd Lyons, the Illinois Secretary of State called for immediate action against the misuse of state vehicle registration. “These violations carry penalties that include fines and potential jail time,” warned the letter, emphasizing the Secretary of State’s authority to revoke any misused plates.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) responded, suggesting that federal agents must balance compliance with state laws and their operational needs. “Our operators comply with federal law and, consistent with the Supremacy Clause, endeavor to comply with state law except where doing so could compromise or interfere with the federal mission,” stated a DHS representative.
The Struggles of Immigration Agents
Immigration officials allege that their agents are facing harassment while performing their duties, including being followed and verbally assaulted by activists. They claim to have experienced a shocking 1000% increase in assaults against them, though clear statistics are lacking.
Transparency in Deportation Operations
The situation raises pertinent questions about the use of rental vehicles in government immigration operations. Public critiques have emerged, asserting that the current deportation strategy lacks transparency, with agents operating in unmarked cars and often concealing their license plates.
There was a similar incident last August when Penske Truck Rental publicly refused to allow its vehicles to be used in deportation operations, clarifying that their trucks are not intended for this purpose.
Plate Watch Initiative
In response to the ongoing concerns, Illinois launched “Plate Watch,” a hotline urging residents to report law enforcement vehicles that lack valid license plates. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias emphasized the importance of this initiative, highlighting a social media clip of an immigration officer allegedly admitting to regularly changing license plates.
The Message to Rental Companies
The letters dispatched by the Secretary of State urged rental companies to educate their customers regarding the legal implications of altering vehicle license plates. They stressed that these actions could lead to fines, potential jail time, and suspensions or revocations of license plates.
With increasing scrutiny on immigration enforcement methods, there is a clear message: “When it comes to public safety and protecting our communities, no one is above the law,” Giannoulias stated, urging citizens to report any suspicious activity promptly.
