DOJ Sues Illinois and Chicago Over Sanctuary Laws, Cites Interference with Federal Immigration Enforcement
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago, accusing them of illegally obstructing the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration through their so-called “sanctuary” policies.
Filed in federal court on Thursday, the lawsuit seeks a court order to block Illinois and Chicago’s sanctuary laws, arguing they “interfere with and discriminate against” the president’s immigration plans. The DOJ points to President Donald Trump’s executive order declaring a national emergency on illegal immigration as justification for the legal challenge.
According to Reuters, the lawsuit specifically targets Illinois’ TRUST Act, which prevents local officials from assisting federal immigration enforcement. The DOJ contends that such laws violate the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause, which establishes that federal law takes precedence over conflicting state or local laws.
The suit names multiple defendants, including the state of Illinois, its governor, the city of Chicago and its Mayor, the Chicago Police Superintendent, and Cook County officials including the commissioners and its sheriff.
The legal action comes as the Trump administration has vowed to prioritize deporting illegal immigrants, particularly those convicted of serious crimes. Chicago officials, however, have repeatedly affirmed their commitment to sanctuary policies and have refused to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.
“Regardless of who is in the White House, Chicago is a city that opens its arms to people from around the globe,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said last week. “We will continue to protect civil and human rights, and we welcome all individuals and families who want to work, live and thrive here in our beloved city. The Welcoming City Ordinance is a law, and it is the law of the land here in Chicago.”
