IL Cracking Down On ICE Agents Swapping License Plates On Rental Cars: Giannoulias

In response to his office receiving "hundreds" of public complaints about federal immigration agents using rental cars with swapped or altered license plates during "Operation Midway Blitz," Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is formally rebuking the practice.

"Let me be very clear, swapping Illinois license plates is illegal, period, and no one, including federal agents, is above the law," Giannoulias said Tuesday, acknowledging his office has sent out formal notices to national rental car companies stating they will be held liable, as well as a cease and desist letter to the Department of Homeland Security.

Giannoulis said an internal investigation revealed that in at least one instance, ICE agents switched plates on a rented vehicle, and the license plate was revoked "immediately."

"The message is simple, if a vehicle is registered in Illinois, it must follow Illinois law, regardless of whether you are Homeland Security or a rental car company," he said. "This is about public safety, transparency and accountability."

NBC News is reporting at least 19 national car rental companies have been notified. In addition, the secretary of state to date has reviewed more than 600 public complaints alleging illegal plate swapping by federal agents, which has led to the one aforementioned license plate revocation, according to documents obtained by the media outlet through a Freedom of Information Act request.

In October, Giannoulis announced the launch of the "Plate Watch Hotline" for Illinois residents to report any swapping or altered license plate activity they may have witnessed. He referenced a video circulating on social media in which an ICE agent is recorded telling a bystander filming their vehicle's license plate that, "You can record all you want. We change the plates out every day."

Residents who witness any such activity can call 312-814-1730 or email platewatch@ilsos.gov.

"We're making it very clear when it comes to protecting our communities, no one is above the law," Giannoulis said.