A federal judge has rejected the Trump administration’s attempt to force Illinois and Chicago to assist with mass deportations, citing constitutional protections of state sovereignty. U.S. District Judge Lindsay Jenkins ruled that the administration’s lawsuit amounted to an “end-run around the Tenth Amendment,” which protects states from being compelled to carry out federal duties. Her 64-page decision emphasized that while states may choose to cooperate with immigration enforcement, they are not legally required to do so.
The case marked the administration’s first legal challenge this year against sanctuary policies, which limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Jenkins relied on multiple Supreme Court rulings to affirm that the federal government cannot “commandeer” state or local officials. While federal law may override state law in some areas under the “supremacy clause,” Jenkins determined that immigration enforcement is not one of them.
Illinois laws enacted in 2021 prohibit state and local officials from sharing detainee information, including custody status or release dates, with immigration authorities. The Justice Department argued that these laws were overridden by federal statutes, but Jenkins disagreed. She ruled that the federal government cannot impose immigration enforcement responsibilities on state agencies or burden their resources.
Judge Jenkins also dismissed Illinois Governor JB Pritzker from the case, noting there was no legal basis for his inclusion. DOJ attorneys admitted this openly in court. Her decision follows similar legal outcomes, such as the 2018 case in which a federal appeals court rejected the administration’s attempt to invalidate California’s sanctuary laws.
Although the Trump administration previously pursued related legal challenges—such as withholding federal funding from sanctuary cities—the Supreme Court dismissed many of these cases after President Biden took office. The Biden DOJ opted not to pursue them further, avoiding a Supreme Court ruling on the matter.
Despite setbacks, immigration enforcement remains a key priority for Trump’s DOJ. Attorney General Pam Bondi recently filed new lawsuits, including one against New York, accusing state leaders of violating federal law by shielding undocumented immigrants. She criticized New York’s “Green Light” laws for limiting law enforcement access to driver information.
Bondi stated that such state policies endanger public safety by preventing officers from verifying identities. “If you don’t comply with federal law, we will hold you accountable,” she warned. The ongoing legal battles highlight the deep divide between federal immigration priorities and states’ rights under the Constitution.
