The Trump administration has taken legal action against Illinois and Chicago, filing a lawsuit Thursday against Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Mayor Brandon Johnson, and Cook County officials. The Department of Justice is seeking to block sanctuary city policies that prevent local law enforcement from assisting in the deportation of illegal immigrants, arguing that these laws subvert federal authority.
Attorney General Pam Bondi ordered a freeze on federal funding for sanctuary cities just hours after being sworn in, and the DOJ’s lawsuit builds on that effort. Prosecutors state that Chicago’s Welcoming City Ordinance and Illinois’ TRUST Act violate the Supremacy Clause by prohibiting state and local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration officers.
The DOJ’s complaint details how Illinois and Chicago interfered with ICE operations by refusing to share information or hold criminal aliens for deportation. The department asserts that these sanctuary policies allow dangerous individuals to avoid removal and pose a continued risk to public safety.
Gov. Pritzker has rejected the lawsuit, claiming that Illinois follows the law and prioritizes police resources for crime prevention. Mayor Johnson has accused the administration of politicizing immigration enforcement, stating that the city will not back down from its sanctuary policies.
The Justice Department has warned that local officials who continue obstructing immigration enforcement could face further legal consequences. Prosecutors have emphasized that the administration will not tolerate cities and states blocking federal efforts to locate and deport illegal immigrants.
The lawsuit adds pressure to Illinois and other states that have refused to comply with federal immigration policies. With Mayor Johnson scheduled to testify before Congress next month, the legal battle is expected to escalate as the administration pushes forward with its crackdown on sanctuary cities.
