Former U.S. President Donald Trump has launched a campaign against sanctuary cities Chicago and Illinois in court with legal actions. This move comes in response to months of threats aimed at putting pressure on areas where local laws limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. During his presidency, Trump portrayed Chicago as a place filled with crime and lawlessness, which he deemed a “sanctuary city” fostering disorder and chaos due to being a haven for illegal immigrants that hinder identification, security, and national sovereignty. He has vowed to start actions against cities that restrict cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The Trump administration has initiated several actions, including a lawsuit against Chicago and Illinois, as well as investigations into several sanctuary cities. The administration’s strategy is focused on two main pillars: economic and legal. On one hand, threats have been made to withhold federal funds from places where sanctuary laws exist. On the other hand, it has been argued that these laws are unconstitutional as they obstruct the enforcement of national immigration laws, which falls under federal jurisdiction. Trump’s new Attorney General, Pam Bondi, has already ordered to identify local governments on her first day, whose policies are impeding immigration enforcement. She has also indicated that her department will take steps to block funds to sanctuary cities. Additionally, a new battle has started in Congress in recent weeks. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chair James Comer has initiated investigations into sanctuary policies. He has confirmed that mayors of Chicago, Boston, Denver, and New York will testify before the committee on March 5. On the other hand, most sanctuary city leaders are standing by their current policies, except for New York Mayor Eric Adams, who has expressed willingness to cooperate with the Trump administration. However, from California to Massachusetts, Democratic-led states are determined to uphold their sanctuary policies and have refused to assist the Trump administration in immigration matters. Their reasons are both ethical and practical, as they prioritize protecting human rights, the dignity of refugees, and fostering trust with local communities. Trump’s campaign against sanctuary cities is a continuation of his previous policies, and it appears that this time, the administration has prepared new legal grounds as well. If the conflict escalates, there is a possibility that the Supreme Court, which includes judges appointed by Trump, could rule in his favor.
