Chicago – February 06, 2025
The US Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Chicago, accusing local officials of blocking federal immigration enforcement efforts as part of President Donald Trump’s mass deportation plan.
The lawsuit targets Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, claiming that local laws interfere with and discriminate against federal immigration policies.
Illinois, where Chicago is located, is one of several states opposing the Trump administration’s push to arrest and deport undocumented migrants. The state’s “Trust Act” prevents local police from holding people solely because of immigration issues and limits cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Chicago has its own law that stops city employees and agencies from helping federal immigration authorities, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The law also prevents ICE agents from accessing detainees or using city facilities for immigration investigations.
This lawsuit aims to block these local laws, which the Justice Department argues are preventing federal immigration officials from doing their jobs.
Additionally, new US Attorney General Pam Bondi has announced plans to cut federal funding to so-called “sanctuary cities,” places that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
