Chicago and Illinois Sue Trump DHS Over ICE Raids; DHS, White House Dismiss Case as 'Baseless'
Chicago and the State of Illinois have filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration challenging what they call 'illegal actions' by immigration agents—alleging ICE officers have interrogated people about citizenship status without cause, carried out civil immigration arrests without warrants, used 'noxious chemicals' in public areas, and conducted operations at or near so‑called sensitive locations such as schools and shelters. The suit also contends DHS personnel have trespassed on city‑ and state‑owned property and that the White House is using policy levers to coerce Illinois and Chicago to abandon their sanctuary‑style limits on cooperation. In an exclusive response, DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin mocked the plaintiffs for 'miraculously' discovering the 10th Amendment only when resisting federal law enforcement, labeled the case 'baseless,' and argued that Illinois politicians have released violent non‑citizens who then harmed residents, citing the drunk‑driving death of college‑bound Illinois resident Katie Abraham. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson echoed the attack, calling the lawsuit by Mayor Brandon Johnson and Attorney General Kwame Raoul a 'pathetic stunt' that proves Democrats 'put illegal criminals over hardworking Americans' and insisting the administration will keep aggressive ICE operations in place. The clash sets up a high‑profile court test over how far federal agents can go in conducting civil immigration enforcement on local turf and near community institutions, and whether sanctuary jurisdictions can use federalism arguments to rein in those tactics.
đź“Ś Key Facts
- Chicago and Illinois filed a federal lawsuit this week accusing federal immigration agents of warrantless civil arrests, unjustified citizenship questioning, use of 'noxious chemicals' and operations near 'sensitive locations' such as schools and shelters.
- The suit also alleges DHS agents trespassed on city‑ and state‑owned property and that the White House is using policy measures to coerce Illinois and Chicago to change their immigration‑enforcement posture.
- DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin derided the case as 'baseless,' accusing Illinois sanctuary policies of freeing violent offenders and invoking the death of Illinois resident Katie Abraham in a DUI crash involving an undocumented Guatemalan national.
- White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson labeled the lawsuit a 'pathetic stunt' and claimed Chicago leaders care more about 'criminal illegal aliens' than protecting residents from them.
đź“Š Relevant Data
In 2025, more than 40 percent of the people arrested by ICE in Illinois were citizens of Mexico, reflecting the large Mexican population in Chicago.
ICE's Illinois Arrests During Trump's Crackdown Were Among Nation's Highest — Block Club Chicago
Black immigrants in ICE detention are less likely to be released on bond and are forced to pay much higher bonds compared to other groups.
Snapshot of ICE Detention — National Immigrant Justice Center
Chicago's immigrant population climbed to nearly 600,000 in 2024, its highest level since 2006, driven by recent influxes.
A portrait of immigrants in Chicago: Immigrant population reaches its highest level in decades — WBEZ
From 2020 to 2023, Illinois saw a decline in White population by 3.9% and Black population by 2.7%, while Hispanic and Asian populations grew.
White, Black communities lead Illinois' population decline; Hispanic, Asian communities growing — Illinois Policy Institute
In 2025, at least 30 non-U.S. citizens died in ICE custody nationwide, marking the deadliest year in decades, with recent deaths including individuals from Honduras, Cuba, and Cambodia.
Chart: ICE Custody Deaths Skyrocket — Statista
đź“° Source Timeline (1)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time