The Justice Department, under the stewardship of President Donald Trump, has initiated a legal battle against Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. The lawsuit alleges that the Democratic-governed territories are hindering the effectiveness of federal immigration control in line with the White House’s expansive deportation drive. Submitted on Thursday at the U.S. District Court in Chicago, the lawsuit specifies that the sanctuary guidelines which discourage local law enforcement from taking part in deportation activities are aggravating a critical situation at the US-Mexico frontier.
Pritzker, Johnson, and Preckwinkle have expressed their commitment to upholding the state and city’s sanctuary regulations, translating into a lack of support from local law enforcement in tracking down immigrants without legal status. According to the Justice Department, Illinois’ authorities are providing negligible, or quite often, counteractive efforts, towards federal investigations. This, they propose, has led to the release of numerous criminal elements into Chicago who should have ideally been detained for immigration displacement from the country. They are seeking a court-prescribed prohibition order against state and local intervention for immigrants.
The legal action emphasizes the urgent need for enhanced implementation of the country’s immigration regulations, amidst a perceived national crisis situation. The suit states, ‘This action seeks to put an end to one State’s efforts to impede the Federal Government from doing that.’ Research data shows that immigrants without valid legal status have not been responsible for a disproportionate share of criminal activities when compared to the overall population.
The suit argues that state legislation along with directives at the county and city levels acts in a manner to obstruct and unfairly discriminate against the Federal Government’s enforcement of federal immigration law, violating the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution. The state’s 2017 TRUST Act, which dissuades local police from aiding with immigration control, has always been in line with federal law and continues to be so, clarified Pritzker.
Pritzker further added, ‘Unlike Donald Trump, Illinois follows the law. We are keen on defending our laws that prioritize the efficient utilization of police resources for combating crime while equipping state law enforcement to assist with arresting violent criminals. We look forward to seeing them in court.’ A representative from the city Law Department reported that they are currently examining the lawsuit.
During a news conference on Tuesday, Mayor Johnson restated the commitment of local law enforcement not to serve as federal agents, highlighting the clear distinction in their roles. The mayor further clarified, ‘So it’s not a matter of the police department not going after violent criminals. While we’re talking about undocumented individuals, do you know how many illegal guns come through Chicago? That’s what the president of the United States of America can help me with.’
Preckwinkle, speaking at a Loop news conference on Thursday, affirmed, ‘we’ll defend ourselves and hope for success in the court system… We’re going to fight back. We will pursue every legal opportunity to defend the programs that we believe in and defend our values.’ The lawsuit additionally includes defendants like Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling and Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart. However, officials from the Chicago Police Department have withheld their comments and Sheriff Dart’s office was unreachable.
President Trump has frequently used Chicago as a point of critical contention and has publicly criticized the city as being infested with crime and ’embarrassing to us as a nation.’ He attempted to curtail federal law enforcement funding to Chicago during his first term. However, just after Trump’s recent swearing-in, Justice Department officials implied renewed intentions of pursuing state and local governments thought to be violating federal immigration statute.
The Constitution authorizes state and local governments to establish local priorities independently without federal intervention. Despite this, the President and his partners cannot overlook these facts in the rush to implement a rigorous and controversial mass deportation initiative.
For four decades, since Mayor Harold Washington’s executive order, Chicago has been a ‘sanctuary city.’ During this time, undocumented individuals have been able to access city services and live without the fear of police prosecution or city collaboration with federal immigration agencies. Last month, following an intense lobbying campaign, the City Council decided, without deliberation, to quash an attempt by two Hispanic alderpersons to resurrect some ‘carve-outs’ to the city’s Welcoming City ordinance. These exceptions had been removed during former Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s term.
Meanwhile, Republicans in Illinois are urging Democrats, who currently have the majority hold on power in Springfield, to revoke the TRUST Act. They argue that by continuously thwarting federal immigration authorities from capturing dangerous criminals taking refuge in Illinois illegally, Governor Pritzker and Mayor Johnson are risking the safety of both law enforcement and Illinois residents.
Senate Minority Leader John Curran of Downers Grove, a Republican, restated this sentiment, contending that by obstructing federal immigration authorities from seizing dangerous criminals unlawfully residing in Illinois, Governor Pritzker and Mayor Johnson are jeopardizing both law enforcement and the citizens of Illinois. Curran pronounced his concerns in a statement, foreshadowing intense political debates and courtroom battles in the future.