Immigrant couple to get $80,000 in damages from former landlords who threatened to call ICE
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The national Latino legal and civil rights organization representing an immigrant couple who sued their former landlords in Chicago for threatening to call ICE on them said this week the tenants will be awarded more than $80,000 in damages, after a judge found the landlords violated an Illinois state law. Limited time: Save 25% on NBC News subscription Get exclusive reporting, live Q&As and ad-free reading.
AI Summary
Main Idea: A Chicago judge ordered former landlords Marco Antonio Contreras and Denise Contreras to pay more than $80,000 after finding they threatened immigrant tenants with ICE in violation of Illinois law.
Key Points:
- The case is the first to reach a judgment under Illinois’ Immigrant Tenant Protection Act of 2019.
- The law bans landlords from using a tenant’s immigration status, or threats to call ICE, to intimidate or punish renters.
- The tenants, Maria Maltos Escutia and Gabriel Valdez Garcia, said they sued because they did not want to stay silent about the threats.
- Their lawyers said the ruling sends a warning that landlords can face serious penalties for harassing immigrant tenants.
Impact on the People
Negative Impact
Landlords who threaten tenants with ICE can raise fear, weaken housing security, and push some immigrant households to move or stay silent about abuse.
Positive Impact
The ruling may deter landlord harassment and give tenants clearer legal protection, making homes safer for immigrant families and other renters.
How did each entity affect people?
Rate how each entity in this article affected the American people.
- Major:Denise Contrerasperson
- Major:Illinoisstate
Candidate Entities11 candidates · 5 weighted vote min · 70% decision
- Denise ContreraspersonMajorEvaluated
Named landlord defendant who is one of the central actors in the damages judgment.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - IllinoisstateMajorEvaluated
State whose immigrant tenant law was enforced in this first judgment under the statute.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Cook County Circuit Courtgovernment agency or bodyMajorAI selected
Court that issued the judgment and ordered damages, attorneys’ fees, and costs.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Gabriel Valdez GarciapersonMajorAI selected
Named former tenant and plaintiff whose case is central to the article.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Marco Antonio ContreraspersonMajorAI selected
Named landlord defendant who is one of the central actors in the damages judgment.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Maria Maltos EscutiapersonMajorAI selected
Named former tenant and plaintiff whose case is central to the article.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold - Immigration and Customs Enforcementgovernment agency or bodyContextCandidate
Federal agency referenced in the alleged threats that formed the basis of the case.
Include 0 (0%)Ignore 0 (0%)5 to threshold
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