Kane County Reporter

Rose McNaul, chairman of the Batavia Township Republican Central Committee, said she was “appalled” by the Oct. 6 Batavia City Council meeting, where she says divisive anti-ICE rhetoric went unchallenged. 

McNaul accused the council of disrespecting Batavia taxpayers and enabling extremist views by allowing an immigration activist to criticize the Laken Riley Act without opposition.

The speaker, Sandy González Rivas, Ph.D., an immigration organizer and educator affiliated with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), reportedly wore a bright orange shirt with the phrase “Chinga la Migra,” a vulgar Spanish-language slogan translating to “Fuck Immigration Enforcement.”*

Batavia Township Republican Central Committee Chairman Rose McNaul | Facebook / Rose McNaul

“This was a message — celebrated by our City Council — proudly displayed on the back of a t-shirt for all TAXPAYERS/CITIZENS to see as she spoke about 'oppression' in an open forum, uninterrupted,” McNaul said.

“An anti-American, terrorist sympathizer spoke at our city hall to discuss how to overthrow federal law enforcement. She is also (no surprise) an educator in Chicagoland.”

González Rivas’s remarks came days after federal agents were attacked by anti-ICE rioters outside the Broadview ICE detention facility during “Operation Midway Blitz.”

Federal immigration officers were rammed and boxed in by vehicles and forced to engage an armed U.S. citizen, escalating tensions between state and federal officials.

During her remarks, González Rivas condemned the recently passed Laken Riley Act as part of a larger “deportation machine,” criticizing its intent and impact.

The law, named after 22-year-old Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, who was murdered by an illegal immigrant in 2024, requires immigration authorities to detain non-citizens arrested or convicted of crimes such as theft or burglary. It also allows state attorneys general to sue the federal government for failing to enforce immigration laws and overrides local sanctuary policies by mandating federal custody of criminal aliens.

McNaul called González Rivas’ framing a mischaracterization of a law meant to protect public safety.

“Her presentation clearly stated the Laken Riley Act was part of the ‘deportation machine’... this was an AMERICAN CITIZEN who was BRUTALLY RAPED and MURDERED by an ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT, with MULTIPLE felonies,” McNaul wrote.

ICIRR, the organization represented by González Rivas, received more than $77 million in government grants last year, making up nearly 97% of its total revenue. It was recently profiled in the Illinois DOGE series for its ties to Democrat-backed public funding. Critics have raised questions about taxpayer support.

McNaul also criticized Batavia’s political leadership, saying the mayor and city council effectively endorsed Illinois’ sanctuary-style policies by allowing González Rivas to speak without objection.

“Batavia’s non-sanctuary status contrasts with Illinois’ policies (The Trust Act / The Way Forward Act). Yet the Mayor and council’s platforming was an endorsement of state-level sanctuary priorities,” she said. “The Mayor himself said the Batavia Police Department stands with illegal immigrants and will fight the federal government if/when necessary.”

“Watch the reactions from the spineless board afterwards, a council members' mention of ‘justice for all’ felt like a hollow slap in the face to taxpayers AND victims alike.”

McNaul pointed to the council’s response as evidence of what she described as a lack of accountability and courage among Batavia’s elected officials.

“I wrote a similar response to each and every member of the council — ‘conservative’ members chose to stay SILENT last night. I encourage you to do the same,” McNaul said.

She said the event betrayed the community’s moral and civic values, starting with the meeting’s opening invocation.

“Furthermore, the opening ‘prayer’s’ omission of any reference to God set a tone of disconnect from our community’s moral foundation,” she said.

Only one political candidate, congressional hopeful Michael Pierce, was in attendance, according to McNaul. She called on other conservatives to speak up.

“We have a lot of amazing patriots in Kane County, but we must be louder!!” McNaul said, urging residents to oppose what she described as growing tolerance for anti-American sentiment in public forums.

“I pray every single one of these ELECTED OFFICIALS has a conscience next time the idea of bringing Anti American garbage rhetoric into our town comes up,” McNaul said.

“Batavia deserves leadership that respects its citizens and prioritizes public safety.”