The U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit against Illinois and Chicago on Thursday, accusing them of blocking President Donald Trump’s efforts to curb illegal immigration. The lawsuit challenges local “sanctuary” laws, which limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
The department argues that Illinois and Chicago’s policies, including the Illinois TRUST Act, violate the U.S. Constitution by interfering with federal law. The TRUST Act prevents state and local police from assisting in civil immigration enforcement, a key part of Trump’s immigration crackdown.
The lawsuit seeks to block these laws, claiming they “discriminate against” federal immigration policies. Under Trump’s administration, the Justice Department has been pushing for stricter immigration controls.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a Democrat, responded by defending the state’s laws. He stated that the TRUST Act, signed by a Republican governor, complies with federal law and focuses state police resources on fighting crime.
The lawsuit was filed in a federal court in Chicago and targets the state, the city of Chicago, and Cook County officials, including the mayor and sheriff. Sanctuary law supporters argue that these laws help immigrants feel safe to report crimes without fear of deportation.
The Trump administration has called on local law enforcement to support its immigration enforcement efforts, warning that resistance could lead to criminal charges. Newly appointed U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has directed the Justice Department to take action against cities or states that block federal immigration efforts.
Several states, including California, have passed measures limiting cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These measures include restricting the agency’s access to jails or preventing the detention of individuals beyond their release date for immigration purposes.
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