Trump DOJ sues Illinois, Chicago over sanctuary city laws

The Justice Department sued Chicago, Cook County, and the state of Illinois Thursday over laws that prohibit local law enforcement from collaborating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. So-called local sanctuary laws impede the federal government from enforcing immigration law, according to the lawsuit. Federal officials also threatened to sue Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson over their immigration policies.

President Donald Trump promised more deportations of illegal migrants and newly-confirmed U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on Wednesday ordered the Justice Department pause the distribution of funds to jurisdictions that have refused to cooperate with federal immigration policy.

What is Illinois’ policy? Chicago’s Welcoming City Ordinance and the state’s Trust Act prevent Chicago police from holding suspects solely because of an immigration warrant. The laws also prohibit officials from sharing immigration information about detainees. Gov. Pritzker has said he is willing to help federal officials deport violent criminals who are illegal immigrants but has pushed back against deporting residents who have abided by the law apart from entering the United States illegally. Both Pritzker and Johnson have defended their respective laws. 

Dig deeper: Read Bekah McCallum’s report in Compassion about whether the federal government plans to arrest illegal immigrants in churches and schools.