❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit against Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) over new state laws aimed at protecting immigrants at courthouses, hospitals, and day care centers.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Governor J.B. Pritzker, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul (D), U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, and the DOJ.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The lawsuit was filed on Monday in Illinois following laws signed earlier this month.
💬KEY QUOTE: “No doubt, they have the ability to go to court about it, but I believe this is not just a good law, but a great law.” – Gov. Pritzker
🎯IMPACT: The DOJ claims the laws violate the U.S. Constitution and threaten the safety of federal officers.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) initiated litigation on Monday against Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D), challenging newly enacted state laws that expand protections for immigrants at courthouses, hospitals, day care centers, and other public institutions. The laws, signed by Pritzker earlier this month along with Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul (D), prohibit civil immigration arrests in or around courthouses and require institutions such as hospitals and public universities to adopt formal procedures for responding to civil immigration enforcement while safeguarding personal information. The legislation also allows individuals to sue if their constitutional rights are violated during federal immigration actions, with damages of up to $10,000.
Illegal immigrant advocacy groups praised the measures, claiming they are necessary to address alleged fear among immigrant communities about accessing essential services. The DOJ, however, contends the laws interfere with federal authority and put federal officers at risk. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has made identifying and challenging state and local laws that impede federal immigration enforcement a priority, according to the department.
Pritzker acknowledged the likelihood of legal challenges when signing the bills but defended the measures. “No doubt, they have the ability to go to court about it, but I believe this is not just a good law, but a great law,” he said.
Illinois has been a focal point in the national immigration debate as state and local leaders continue to expand sanctuary policies. In recent months, Pritzker signed additional legislation further limiting civil immigration enforcement at schools, hospitals, and universities. Chicago’s mayor has also moved to establish “ICE-free zones” on certain city-owned properties, drawing criticism from federal officials.
Tensions have occasionally escalated beyond policy disputes. Earlier this fall, a Chicago-area grand jury declined to indict suspects accused of violently confronting federal immigration agents during protests, adding to concerns among federal authorities about resistance to enforcement operations.
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