The Trump administration intensified its battle against Democrat-led states and cities that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
According to Fox News, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit Thursday against Illinois and Chicago, claiming their sanctuary laws interfere with federal immigration enforcement and violate the Constitution's Supremacy Clause.
The legal action targets Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, along with other officials. The lawsuit argues that several state and local laws deliberately obstruct federal immigration enforcement efforts. President Donald Trump's administration contends these sanctuary policies create safe havens for undocumented immigrants who may pose threats to public safety.
Trump administration claims sanctuary laws undermine national security
The DOJ's legal challenge focuses on multiple state laws, including the Illinois Way Forward Act, TRUST Act, and Chicago's Welcoming City Ordinance. These laws restrict local law enforcement's ability to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The administration argues this non-cooperation has resulted in the release of numerous criminals who should have been held for deportation.
Attorney General Pam Bondi signed a directive to restrict funding to sanctuary jurisdictions just one day before the lawsuit was filed. The move represents another step in the administration's broader strategy to pressure sanctuary cities into compliance with federal immigration enforcement efforts.
The lawsuit emphasizes the administration's declaration of a national emergency at the southern border, connecting sanctuary policies to what it describes as significant threats to national security and public safety.
Local officials defend their stance on immigration enforcement
Governor Pritzker responded to the lawsuit by defending Illinois' position. He stated that Illinois follows the law, unlike Trump, and emphasized that the TRUST Act received bipartisan support when signed into law by a Republican governor.
Pritzker said:
Unlike Donald Trump, Illinois follow the law. The bipartisan Illinois TRUST Act, signed into law by a Republican governor, has always been compliant with federal law and still is today. Illinois will defend our laws that prioritize police resources for fighting crime while enabling state law enforcement to assist with arresting violent criminals.
Both Pritzker and Johnson have expressed support for removing violent criminal offenders who are in the country illegally. Johnson specifically addressed the distinction between local and federal law enforcement roles.
Mass deportation operations target sanctuary jurisdictions
The Trump administration's deportation operations have specifically targeted sanctuary cities, including Chicago, New York, Boston, and Washington, D.C. These raids have reportedly resulted in over 1,000 arrests of undocumented immigrants per day in some instances.
Supporters of sanctuary policies argue they enable undocumented immigrants to report crimes and work with local police without fear of deportation. Critics maintain these laws allow dangerous criminals to remain in communities where they might commit additional offenses.
The ongoing enforcement operations reflect the administration's commitment to pressuring sanctuary jurisdictions into compliance with federal immigration authorities through both legal action and increased ICE presence.
Federal and state tensions escalate over immigration
The Department of Justice filed this lawsuit against Illinois and Chicago, challenging their sanctuary laws that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The legal battle highlights the ongoing conflict between the Trump administration's aggressive deportation policies and Democrat-led jurisdictions' efforts to protect immigrant communities. As the case moves forward, it will test the boundaries between federal immigration authority and states' rights to determine their law enforcement priorities.
