CHICAGO (OnPoint) — The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit Monday against Illinois Governor JB Pritzker for implementing new laws designed to provide protections for immigrants within courthouses, hospitals, and day care centers.
Pritzker recently signed a series of legislative bills that prohibit civil arrests at courthouses throughout Illinois and require that emergency procedures are in place to protect personal information during civil immigration enforcement actions at hospitals and day care facilities.
These laws also include provisions allowing immigrants to seek legal recourse, entitling individuals to $10,000 in damages if they are unlawfully arrested while attending court proceedings.
Supporters of the legislation, including members of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, have expressed praise, noting that the measures are crucial for ensuring that immigrants feel safe accessing necessary services and legal protections.
Lawrence Benito, executive director of the Coalition, referred to the actions as 'a brave choice' to resist federal enforcement practices that threaten community safety.
The DOJ argues that these laws endanger federal officers and disrupt immigration enforcement operations. Attorney General Pam Bondi is spearheading the suit, seeking to identify local legislation that hinders federal immigration efforts.
Attorneys for both Pritzker and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul are currently reviewing the lawsuit but have yet to provide public comment.
Pritzker indicated prior to signing that there could be legal challenges to these laws, asserting their significance, 'No doubt, they have the ability to go to court about it, but I believe this is not just a good law, but a great law.'
The Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement's recent actions, described as 'Operation Midway Blitz,' have resulted in over 4,000 arrests, with the overwhelming majority targeting individuals with nonviolent offenses.
