Well, here we go again — another Trump administration effort to rein in sanctuary city policies just ran headfirst into the brick wall of a Biden-appointed federal judge.
This time, it’s Illinois. On Friday, Northern Illinois District Court Judge Lindsay C. Jenkins tossed out a lawsuit that aimed to curb Illinois’ and Chicago’s sanctuary laws — those very policies that keep local police from working with federal immigration authorities.
Let’s break this down. The DOJ filed this suit back in February, accusing Illinois and Chicago of actively undermining federal immigration enforcement. And the details are as bad as you’d expect: Illinois law blocks local officials from sharing nonpublic immigration information, while Chicago’s ordinance goes even further — forbidding any cooperation with ICE unless there’s a warrant in hand.
State officers also can’t honor immigration detainers. The DOJ said this violates the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause. In other words: when state or local laws conflict with federal law, federal law wins.
We are pleased with the court’s decision to dismiss the Justice Department’s lawsuit against our city. This ruling affirms what we have long known: that Chicago’s Welcoming City Ordinance is lawful and supports public safety. Chicago cannot be compelled to cooperate with the… pic.twitter.com/MFbHLp3oUr
— Mayor Brandon Johnson (@ChicagosMayor) July 26, 2025
But Judge Jenkins? She wasn’t having it. She leaned on the Tenth Amendment, claiming these laws don’t cross the line because they’re “lawful protections” against federal overreach. In her own words: “It would allow the federal government to commandeer States under the guise of intergovernmental immunity—the exact type of direct regulation of states barred by the Tenth Amendment.” Translation: the feds can’t make Illinois help them enforce immigration law if Illinois doesn’t want to.
And, of course, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson couldn’t resist spiking the football. He posted on X celebrating the ruling: “This ruling affirms what we have long known: that Chicago’s Welcoming City Ordinance is lawful and supports public safety.” In his mind, refusing to cooperate with ICE makes Chicago safer. (Tell that to the victims of crimes committed by repeat offenders who should’ve been in ICE custody.)
The Department of Justice is suing New York City and Mayor Eric Adams for continuing to obstruct law enforcement with sanctuary city policies.
If New York’s leaders won’t step up to protect their citizens, we will.
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) July 24, 2025
Here’s the kicker: this isn’t an isolated case. The Trump administration is suing New York City, Los Angeles, and entire states like New York and Colorado over similar policies. So far, it’s been one uphill battle after another. And while the Supreme Court recently moved to limit district judges from issuing nationwide injunctions, critics are warning about exactly this — activist judges blocking the administration’s agenda before it even has a chance to work.
Attorney General Pam Bondi put it plainly: “If New York’s leaders won’t step up to protect their citizens, we will.”
