President Donald Trump’s Justice Department filed a lawsuit Thursday against Illinois and the city of Chicago for subverting federal immigration laws and obstructing efforts to locate and deport criminal illegal immigrants. The lawsuit targets Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, and Cook County officials for thwarting federal enforcement through their sanctuary city policies.

The complaint accuses Illinois and Chicago of interfering with federal law by prohibiting local law enforcement from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The DOJ argues that these laws violate the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution by blocking federal authorities from removing illegal immigrants who have committed crimes.

Attorney General Pam Bondi has already taken action against sanctuary cities, ordering a freeze on federal grants to jurisdictions that refuse to follow immigration laws. The administration has also warned local officials that shielding criminal aliens from deportation will not be tolerated.

The lawsuit demands that Chicago and Illinois end their sanctuary policies, which prevent law enforcement from detaining and handing over criminal illegal immigrants to ICE. The DOJ has also threatened legal action against local officials who impede federal immigration enforcement.

Gov. Pritzker and Mayor Johnson have vowed to fight the lawsuit, with Pritzker claiming that Illinois law complies with federal statutes. However, the state’s sanctuary policies directly contradict federal law, and critics argue that these measures make communities less safe by harboring dangerous criminals.

With Trump’s administration escalating enforcement efforts, the DOJ is making it clear that it will not tolerate local governments blocking federal immigration mandates. As the legal battle moves forward, Chicago’s defiance could face serious consequences under the administration’s crackdown.