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 daycares.
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 offer legal recourse for individuals whose rights were violated during federal enforcement actions in the Chicago area, providing up to $10,000 in damages for unlawful arrests while attending court.
Advocates for immigrants hailed the legislation, indicating that many were previously hesitant to access services due to fears of detention.
Lawrence Benito, executive director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, characterized the laws as “a brave choice,” reinforcing the idea that legislative solutions are necessary in conjunction with community-led responses to federal enforcement.
The Justice Department argues that Pritzker and Attorney General Raoul, both Democrats, have violated the U.S. Constitution, asserting that the new laws jeopardize the safety of federal officers. This lawsuit is part of a broader initiative by Attorney General Pam Bondi to challenge state regulations perceived to impede federal immigration enforcement.
Pritzker and Raoul had not responded to requests for comment by the time of this report. When the laws were signed, Pritzker acknowledged possible legal challenges, affirming his belief in the worthiness of the laws as a notable legal achievement.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s “Operation Midway Blitz,” which saw over 4,000 arrests, recently concluded, showing that only a fraction of the individuals arrested had significant criminal records.
