(WBBM NEWSRADIO) - The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against the City of Chicago, Cook County, and the State of Illinois over immigrant sanctuary laws.
In the brief revealed Thursday morning, the Department of Justice says the trio’s laws, including Chicago’s Welcoming City Ordinance and the Illinois TRUST Act, are interfering with the federal government’s attempts to arrest undocumented migrants.
“The challenged provisions of Illinois, Chicago and Cook County law have the purpose and effect of making it more difficult for, and deliberately impeding, federal immigration officers’ ability to carry out their responsibilities in those jurisdictions," the brief read.
Mayor Brandon Johnson, Governor JB Pritzker, Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, and Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart are all individually listed as defendants in the lawsuit.
The Department of Justice cites the Supremacy Clause in the Constitution, which establishes that federal law takes precedence over state law.
Trump border czar Tom Homan has frequently criticized Chicago and Illinois officials, and promised to go after illegal immigrants in the City.
Homan spoke Thursday morning outside the White House about "ICE" efforts against illegal immigrants.
"We're doing a great job, but we got to do more, and that's what we're looking at now. We're looking at ways to create more efficiencies," Homan said.
In wake of the lawsuit, Governor Pritzker's Office issued a statement. Spokesperson Alex Gough said the State will fight the lawsuit.
"Unlike Donald Trump, Illinois follows the law. The bipartisan Illinois TRUST Act, signed into law by a Republican governor, has always been compliant with federal law and still is today," Gough said. "Illinois will defend our laws that prioritize police resources for fighting crime while enabling state law enforcement to assist with arresting violent criminals. Instead of working with us to support law enforcement, the Trump Administration is making it more difficult to protect the public, just like they did when Trump pardoned the convicted January 6 violent criminals. We look forward to seeing them in court."
Earlier this week, Johnson told reporters the city will continue to protect migrants and claimed the Trump administration is violating the Constitution.
"Every single executive order, we see it as a threat, and we will do everything in our power to ensure that working people are defended in this city,” Johnson said.
The mayor said he's taking the Trump administration's slew of executive orders seriously, especially those targeting undocumented immigrants in Chicago. But, he said Chicago is standing its ground as a sanctuary city.
"These are challenges that have existed for a very long time. But what is impressive about Chicago is that we always stand the test of time, and so for me, it doesn't change the meaning… It places us front and center to have a real, substantive dialog of what it means to be a global city," said Johnson.
Later on Thursday, the mayor's office issued the following statement:
"The City of Chicago and Mayor Johnson received notice of the lawsuit filed today in Federal District Court. The complaint is under review by the Law Department. Following a full review, we will respond in due course. Chicago is and will remain a welcoming city, with welcoming people who work beside their neighbors to build strong communities where you can still raise a family.
The safety and security of Chicago residents remains the priority for the Johnson Administration. Chicago will continue to protect the working people of our city and defend against attacks on our longstanding values. Chicago will stay focused on our priorities.
We will lead with continued investments in mental health, youth employment and affordable homes.
WBBM's Carolina Garibay and Terry Keshner contributed to this report.
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