CHICAGO — The U.S. Department of Justice has initiated a lawsuit against Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, contesting new state laws established to enhance protections for immigrants at courthouses, hospitals, and daycare centers.
Earlier this month, Pritzker signed legislation that prohibits civil arrests near courthouses statewide and mandates that hospitals, daycare centers, and public universities implement protocols for overseeing immigration enforcement and safeguarding personal information.
These laws took effect immediately and provide legal recourse for individuals whose constitutional rights have been violated during federal immigration operations, even offering damages of up to $10,000 for unlawful arrests while attending court proceedings.
Supporters of the legislation, including Lawrence Benito, executive director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, have commended the new laws, asserting that they enable immigrant communities to seek necessary services without the fear of detention.
However, the Justice Department argues the legislation endangers federal law enforcement officials and violates the U.S. Constitution. The lawsuit aligns with an effort by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to identify state-level laws that, according to the federal government, obstruct immigration enforcement.
Pritzker's office and Attorney General Kwame Raoul, both named in the suit, have yet to respond to the lawsuit but indicated previously that these laws may face legal challenges.
While signing the bills, Pritzker expressed confidence in their merit, stating, This is not just a good law, but a great law. He further noted the federal enforcement operation, which dubbed Operation Midway Blitz, has drawn criticism as over 4,000 arrests were made during its course, with many individuals picked up for nonviolent offenses.
