Trump Officials File Lawsuit Against Chicago's Sanctuary City Policies
** Chicago and Illinois Face Lawsuit Over 'Sanctuary' Policies **
The Trump administration has taken aim at Chicago and Illinois, filing a lawsuit alleging that these cities and the state have repeatedly obstructed federal immigration enforcement initiatives. The lawsuit also names Cook County and the Cook County Sheriff's Office as co-defendants.
According to the lawsuit, the conduct of officials in Chicago and Illinois has minimally enforced or actively thwarted federal immigration laws, leading to the release of numerous criminals who should have been detained for immigration removal.
Attorneys for the Trump administration claim that Chicago's sanctuary-like policies violate federal law. These policies allegedly block local governments from sharing immigration information with federal law enforcement officials and prevent immigration enforcement officers from identifying individuals who may be subject to removal.
In response to Trump's accusations, Mayor Brandon Johnson of Chicago declared that the city will continue to be welcoming and protective towards immigrants. He emphasized that the safety and security of Chicago residents remain the top priority.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, meanwhile, asserted that Illinois has always complied with federal law. He criticized the Trump Administration for pardoning the convicted January 6 violent criminals instead of working with states to support law enforcement.
Other sanctuary cities are expected to challenge the Trump Administration's alleged overreach. Portland, Oregon, along with several cities and counties, is reportedly planning to file a lawsuit against the Administration's immigration policies.
Portland City Council President Elana-Pirtle Guiney stated that the federal Administration is jeopardizing critical programs by forcing sanctuary cities to choose between local law enforcement and federal grants. She argued that this should not be a binary choice.
** Behind the Scene **The Trump administration's lawsuit is based on the alleged violation of federal immigration law by Chicago, Cook County, and Illinois. Specifically, the Department of Justice believes these jurisdictions have enacted sanctuary laws designed to impede federal immigration enforcement efforts. These policies, according to the DOJ, obstruct cooperation and communication between federal, state, and local law enforcement, thus hindering effective enforcement of federal immigration laws and public safety.
The DOJ's legal argument leans on the 2012 Arizona Supreme Court decision, emphasizing federal supremacy in immigration law enforcement. The federal government maintains that sanctuary policies unlawfully interfere with federal authority by preventing or limiting local cooperation, such as failing to honor detainer requests or notify ICE about immigration status of individuals in custody, which the DOJ views as obstructive and discriminatory actions against federal law.
In addition, the Trump administration attempted to condition federal transportation funding on state and local cooperation with immigration enforcement. This move was blocked by a judge, who ruled that states cannot be compelled to assist immigration enforcement efforts to receive such funding. The administration argued that non-cooperation constitutes open defiance of federal immigration law and threatened to withdraw funds from so-called "rogue state actors."
- The lawsuit filed by the Trump administration against Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, and the Cook County Sheriff's Office alleges that their sanctuary-like policies violate federal immigration law, specifically hindering communication and cooperation between federal, state, and local law enforcement.
- According to the Department of Justice, sanctuary policies enacted by cities and states, such as those in Chicago and Illinois, obstruct federal immigration law enforcement by preventing localities from sharing immigration information and interfering with federal immigration enforcement officers' identification of individuals for removal.
- In response to charges of overreach by the Trump Administration, other sanctuary cities are expected to challenge the Administration's immigration policies, with Portland, Oregon, among those reportedly planning to file a lawsuit, arguing that they should not be forced to choose between local law and order and federal funding.
