Trump Administration Sues Illinois, Chicago Over Sanctuary City Policies

The Trump administration launched a legal challenge against the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago on Thursday, alleging that their sanctuary city policies impede federal authorities from upholding immigration laws. This federal lawsuit, the first of its kind by President Donald Trump's Justice Department against states or municipalities with sanctuary city policies, marks a significant escalation in the administration's stance on immigration.

A Legal Battle Over Sanctuary City Policies

The 22-page lawsuit, filed a day after U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a sanctuary jurisdiction directive on her first day in office, asserts that the sanctuary policies implemented by Illinois, Chicago, and Cook County "obstruct" the federal government's ability to enforce immigration laws. According to the lawsuit, "The challenged provisions of Illinois, Chicago, and Cook County law reflect their intentional effort to obstruct the Federal Government’s enforcement of federal immigration law and to impede consultation and communication between federal, state, and local law enforcement officials that is necessary for federal officials to carry out federal immigration law and keep Americans safe."

The suit has been widely viewed as a key component of the Trump administration's broader strategy to expedite mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. It also raises questions about the future implementation of a directive issued shortly after Trump's inauguration, which directed the Justice Department to investigate state or local officials who resist enforcing federal immigration laws.

Defining Sanctuary Cities

It is important to note that "sanctuary cities" are not officially recognized terms. Instead, they refer to states, cities, counties, or municipalities that have enacted laws that either explicitly or implicitly prevent or restrict local officials from cooperating 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.” The Illinois Trust Act, enacted in 2017, "prevents state and local law enforcement from assisting the federal government with civil immigration enforcement but allows coordination when there is a federal criminal warrant," according to a fact sheet provided by the office of Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker.

Chicago’s “Welcoming City Ordinance” and Cook County’s policy essentially align with this mission, emphasizing cooperation with federal authorities only in cases involving criminal warrants.

Seeking Legal Blockage

The lawsuit seeks both a temporary and permanent injunction to prevent the enforcement of all three policies. In response, Pritzker's spokesperson, Alex Gough, stated that the state will vigorously defend against the suit. He emphasized that the bipartisan Illinois TRUST Act, signed into law by a Republican governor, has always been compliant with federal law and continues to be so today. Gough further argued that Illinois prioritizes allocating police resources for crime prevention while enabling state law enforcement to assist in apprehending violent criminals.

He criticized the Trump administration for prioritizing legal challenges over collaboration, drawing parallels to the pardon of convicted January 6th violent criminals by Trump. Gough concluded by expressing anticipation for a court showdown.

Chicago's law department is currently reviewing the lawsuit and plans to respond accordingly. Mayor Lori Lightfoot reaffirmed Chicago's commitment to being a welcoming city with welcoming people, emphasizing that the safety and security of residents remain paramount. She asserted that Chicago will continue to protect its working citizens and defend its longstanding values against external attacks.

A History of Defiance

Mayor Lightfoot and other Chicago officials have consistently challenged Trump's immigration policies. Following Trump's victory in November, Lightfoot declared that the city "will not bend or break" on its sanctuary laws. Notably, the Chicago City Council recently rejected a proposal to ease restrictions on city officials cooperating with federal immigration authorities targeting individuals involved in violent crimes.

During his previous administration, Trump engaged in public disputes with Chicago over similar issues. The city became the site of one of the administration's initial major enforcement actions after Trump's inauguration, underscoring the ongoing tension between the federal government and sanctuary cities like Chicago.