Trump administration sues Illinois and Chicago over immigration policies
Annapurna Rai | Feb 07, 2025, 22:11 IST
( Image credit : Agencies )
The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against Illinois, Chicago, and Cook County for their sanctuary city policies, arguing these obstruct federal immigration enforcement and endanger public safety.
The Trump administration has launched a legal battle against Illinois and Chicago, alleging that their sanctuary city policies obstruct federal immigration enforcement. The lawsuit marks the first formal legal challenge from the Justice Department against state or local sanctuary policies under the second Trump administration, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown over federal authority and local governance.
The 22-page lawsuit, filed just one day after U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a directive targeting sanctuary jurisdictions, argues that Illinois, Chicago, and Cook County are intentionally impeding federal immigration enforcement. According to the suit, these policies hinder collaboration between federal and local law enforcement, thereby endangering public safety.
The legal action is part of the administration’s broader push to accelerate mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. It also underscores the White House’s commitment to holding state and local officials accountable if they resist federal immigration laws—a stance made clear in a directive issued shortly after Trump’s inauguration.
Sanctuary jurisdictions, while not an official designation, refer to states, cities, counties, or municipalities that enact policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The lawsuit specifically targets Illinois’ Trust Act, Chicago’s Welcoming City Ordinance, and Cook County’s Policy for Responding to ICE Detainers, claiming these laws prevent local officials from assisting in federal immigration enforcement efforts.
Illinois’ Trust Act, enacted in 2017, prohibits state and local law enforcement from aiding federal immigration enforcement in civil matters but allows coordination when a federal criminal warrant is involved. Chicago’s Welcoming City Ordinance and Cook County’s ICE detainer policy align with this approach, reinforcing protections for undocumented residents while focusing law enforcement resources on local crime.
The Trump administration is seeking both a temporary and permanent injunction against these policies, arguing that they conflict with federal law and undermine national security. The move has already sparked a fierce response from state and city officials, who have vowed to defend their policies in court.
A spokesperson for Illinois Governor JB Pritzker criticized the lawsuit, highlighting that the Trust Act, originally signed by a Republican governor, complies with federal law and prioritizes public safety. The spokesperson accused the Trump administration of making law enforcement’s job harder, comparing the lawsuit to previous actions that allegedly undermined public safety, including controversial presidential pardons.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson echoed this sentiment, stating that Chicago will remain a welcoming city and that the administration’s legal challenge will not deter local efforts to protect residents. Johnson emphasized that Chicago’s commitment to safety and inclusion remains unchanged, adding that city officials will vigorously defend their policies against federal interference.
The lawsuit reignites tensions between Trump and Chicago, a city that has consistently resisted federal efforts to roll back sanctuary protections. During his previous term, Trump frequently clashed with Chicago officials over immigration policy, making the city a focal point of his broader crackdown on sanctuary jurisdictions.
As the legal battle unfolds, the outcome could have significant implications for other states and cities with similar sanctuary policies. With the administration seeking to establish a precedent that would compel local cooperation with federal immigration authorities, the case could redefine the balance of power between state and federal governments in immigration enforcement.
For now, Illinois and Chicago stand firm in their defiance, setting the stage for a contentious courtroom battle that will shape the future of sanctuary policies across the nation.
The 22-page lawsuit, filed just one day after U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a directive targeting sanctuary jurisdictions, argues that Illinois, Chicago, and Cook County are intentionally impeding federal immigration enforcement. According to the suit, these policies hinder collaboration between federal and local law enforcement, thereby endangering public safety.
The legal action is part of the administration’s broader push to accelerate mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. It also underscores the White House’s commitment to holding state and local officials accountable if they resist federal immigration laws—a stance made clear in a directive issued shortly after Trump’s inauguration.
Sanctuary jurisdictions, while not an official designation, refer to states, cities, counties, or municipalities that enact policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The lawsuit specifically targets Illinois’ Trust Act, Chicago’s Welcoming City Ordinance, and Cook County’s Policy for Responding to ICE Detainers, claiming these laws prevent local officials from assisting in federal immigration enforcement efforts.
Illinois’ Trust Act, enacted in 2017, prohibits state and local law enforcement from aiding federal immigration enforcement in civil matters but allows coordination when a federal criminal warrant is involved. Chicago’s Welcoming City Ordinance and Cook County’s ICE detainer policy align with this approach, reinforcing protections for undocumented residents while focusing law enforcement resources on local crime.
The Trump administration is seeking both a temporary and permanent injunction against these policies, arguing that they conflict with federal law and undermine national security. The move has already sparked a fierce response from state and city officials, who have vowed to defend their policies in court.
A spokesperson for Illinois Governor JB Pritzker criticized the lawsuit, highlighting that the Trust Act, originally signed by a Republican governor, complies with federal law and prioritizes public safety. The spokesperson accused the Trump administration of making law enforcement’s job harder, comparing the lawsuit to previous actions that allegedly undermined public safety, including controversial presidential pardons.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson echoed this sentiment, stating that Chicago will remain a welcoming city and that the administration’s legal challenge will not deter local efforts to protect residents. Johnson emphasized that Chicago’s commitment to safety and inclusion remains unchanged, adding that city officials will vigorously defend their policies against federal interference.
The lawsuit reignites tensions between Trump and Chicago, a city that has consistently resisted federal efforts to roll back sanctuary protections. During his previous term, Trump frequently clashed with Chicago officials over immigration policy, making the city a focal point of his broader crackdown on sanctuary jurisdictions.
As the legal battle unfolds, the outcome could have significant implications for other states and cities with similar sanctuary policies. With the administration seeking to establish a precedent that would compel local cooperation with federal immigration authorities, the case could redefine the balance of power between state and federal governments in immigration enforcement.
For now, Illinois and Chicago stand firm in their defiance, setting the stage for a contentious courtroom battle that will shape the future of sanctuary policies across the nation.