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Trump administration sues Chicago in latest crackdown on 'sanctuary' cities

CHICAGO (AP) 鈥 The Trump administration sued Chicago on Thursday alleging that 'sanctuary' laws in the nation's third-largest city 鈥渢hwart" federal efforts to enforce immigration laws.
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FILE - Immigrants from Venezuela are reflected in a marble wall while taking shelter at the Chicago Police Department's 16th District station on May 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, FIle)

CHICAGO (AP) 鈥 The Trump administration sued Chicago on Thursday alleging that in the nation's third-largest city 鈥渢hwart" federal efforts to enforce immigration laws.

The lawsuit, which also names the state of Illinois, is the to crack down on places that limit cooperation between federal immigration agents and local police. It follows the federal government's threats of and funding cuts to what are known as sanctuary cities.

鈥淭he conduct of officials in Chicago and Illinois minimally enforcing 鈥 and oftentimes affirmatively thwarting 鈥 federal immigration laws over a period of years has resulted in countless criminals being released into Chicago who should have been held for immigration removal from the United States," according to the lawsuit filed in Chicago's federal court.

Targeting sanctuary cities

President Donald Trump has often singled out Chicago and Illinois because they have some of the nation's strongest protections for immigrants. Top administration officials last month visited the city to launch stepped up immigration enforcement and showcased footage of 鈥渂order czar鈥 Tom Homan .

The aggressive approach and harsh rhetoric have been heavily criticized for in and feeding false claims about crime among immigrants.

While several high-profile and violent crimes involving people in the U.S. illegally have been in the news in recent months, there is that it happens daily. that people living in the U.S. illegally are less likely than native-born Americans to have been arrested for violent, drug and property crimes.

Still, the sentiment is the cornerstone of Trump's agenda. The he signed of his new administration, named after slain Laken Riley, requires the detention of immigrants in the country illegally who are accused of theft and violent crimes.

Federal funding cuts

Hours after new Attorney General was sworn in Wednesday, she ordered an end to Department of Justice grants for jurisdictions that 鈥渦nlawfully interfere with federal law enforcement.鈥

Courts, however, have repeatedly of the range of sanctuary laws. The laws do not allow local law enforcement to actively interfere with federal operations. The first Trump White House also tried to deny public safety grants to sanctuary jurisdictions, but courts also largely rejected those attempts.

California Democratic Attorney General Rob Bonta said he is monitoring the directive's implementation.

鈥淲e won鈥檛 hesitate to respond if the Trump administration attempts to delay or unlawfully condition vital public safety funding for state and local law enforcement,鈥 he said in a statement.

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, a Democrat, used an argument that Republicans have used against members of his party, saying pausing funding to sanctuary jurisdictions is

鈥淭his is yet another attempt by the Trump administration to defund police and distract local law enforcement from serious public safety threats, including gun violence, reckless driving, domestic violence and the opioid epidemic," Tong said in a statement.

The administration has already made clear that legal precedent won鈥檛 necessarily stand in its way. Lawyers say that simply filing lawsuits can intimidate jurisdictions to back away from their sanctuary laws.

Immigration advocates expect the administration to use a range of political tools against sanctuary jurisdictions, from legislation to Bondi鈥檚 directives to threats to restrict funding from agencies including the Department of Transportation.

鈥淭his is going to be an ongoing attack on all fronts and in multiple agencies,鈥 Kerri Talbot, the co-executive director of the Immigration Hub, a pro-immigration policy group, told reporters.

Sanctuary cities vow to fight back

The lawsuit against Chicago claims that local laws run counter to federal laws by restricting 鈥渓ocal governments from sharing immigration information with federal law enforcement officials鈥 and preventing immigration agents from identifying 鈥渋ndividuals who may be subject to removal.鈥

Heavily Democratic Chicago has been a sanctuary city for decades and has beefed up its laws several times, including during in 2017. That same year, then-Gov. Bruce Rauner, a Republican, signed more putting him at odds with his party.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said Chicago will remain a welcoming city. He and other mayors plan to testify next month at a congressional hearing on sanctuary cities. In recent months, Chicago has helped host trainings for people to learn their rights when it comes to immigration agents and publicized the information at public transit stations.

鈥淭he safety and security of Chicago residents remains the priority,鈥 he said in a statement Thursday. 鈥淐hicago will continue to protect the working people of our city and defend against attacks on our longstanding values.鈥

Illinois Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker said the state has always complied with the law.

鈥淯nlike Donald Trump, Illinois follows the law,鈥 Pritzker鈥檚 office said in a statement. 鈥淚nstead 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.鈥

The lawsuit also names Cook County, where Chicago is located, and its sheriff.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said in a statement that the nation's second-most populous county, 鈥渞emained committed to being a fair and welcoming community for all residents."

Sheriff Tom Dart issued a statement saying his office doesn't pass or enact immigration legislation and follows all laws.

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Associated Press reporters Tim Sullivan in Minneapolis, Sophie Austin in Sacramento, California, and Susan Haigh in Hartford, Connecticut, contributed.

Sophia Tareen, The Associated Press

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