CHICAGO (AP) — The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit Monday against Illinois Governor JB Pritzker over new state laws aimed at protecting immigrants at courthouses, hospitals, and day cares.
Pritzker signed a set of laws earlier this month that ban civil arrests at and around courthouses statewide and require hospitals, day care centers, and public universities to have procedures for handling civil immigration operations and protecting personal information.
The laws, which took effect immediately, also provide legal steps for individuals whose constitutional rights were violated during federal enforcement actions, including awarding damages of up to $10,000 for unlawful arrests while attending court proceedings.
Immigration and legal advocates have applauded the legislation, emphasizing that many immigrants have been avoiding courthouses, hospitals, and schools due to fears of detention.
Lawrence Benito, executive director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, referred to the laws as “a brave choice,” noting that the collective resistance to ICE and CBP’s aggressive actions extends beyond community-led rapid responses to legislative solutions.
The Justice Department, however, maintains that Pritzker and Raoul, both named in the lawsuit, violated the U.S. Constitution. They argue the laws pose a threat to the safety of federal officers, as articulated in a Monday evening statement. This lawsuit is part of U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi's initiative to identify state and local laws that hinder federal immigration operations.
Pritzker and Raoul have yet to comment on the lawsuit. When he signed the bills, Pritzker acknowledged potential court challenges but affirmed that the laws represent significant progress for immigrant rights.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s “Operation Midway Blitz” recently led to over 4,000 arrests, with data indicating that just 15% had criminal records, primarily for traffic offenses and nonviolent crimes.
