New York—On Thursday, the Trump administration and the Department of Justice sued the state of Illinois and city of Chicago for their sanctuary policies, baselessly arguing that their local laws impede them from carrying out their family separation agenda.
“Illinois and Chicago have continuously stood up for the rights of their immigrant families and communities. Donald Trump likes to talk about not weaponizing the Department of Justice, but then turns around and uses the mechanisms of government to attack immigrants and our shared American values. We stand in solidarity with Illinois and Chicago in standing up to these cruel attacks. The Trump administration does not care about public safety, and actively works to make communities across America unsafe and inhospitable to the people who have built our country and economy. We must reject this weaponization, and stand on the side of justice and equality for all. We will defeat Trump, and everyone who works to implement his fascist agenda," said Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO, New York Immigration Coalition, Co-Chair of the Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM).
“Even in Southern States where state laws prohibit sanctuary cities, we too feel the negative impact to what is happening in Chicago and Illinois. A politically-motivated Department of Justice undermines rule of law for everyone. Many of our immigrant families in Arkansas, have relatives in Chicago, and the emotional impact and fear that they have for their loved ones plays a toll on life even here at home. Workers do not work, and students do not go to school when they are afraid, and that impacts both the current and future economy for all Arkansans. We are united with the Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM) to take action and support every step of the way as we, the directly impacted, fight this move, and to send a message to the DoJ that none of us can be singled out," said Mireya Reith, Founding Executive Director, Arkansas United.
“CASA in Action condemns the Trump administration’s attempt to intimidate the beautiful state of Illinois into sacrificing its immigrant community. With its longstanding history of protecting immigrants, Illinois puts first its families no matter where they came from originally or what language they speak. Forcing states to comply with Trump’s terror campaign is illegal. It is the coward’s tactic in the face of a state sticking by its values of respect and dignity for its people. We stand with immigrant families in Illinois and with the government that has embraced them as their own. We are united," said Gustavo Torres, Board President, CASA in Action.
“The safety and security of every community in the United States, immigrant or not, is at peril with the relentless and cruel attacks by the Trump Administration. Sanctuary state means that together, we aspire for a land where freedom and the pursuit of happiness working and collaborating alongside our neighbors, friends, and loved ones, is possible regardless of our immigration status. These communities are possible, and Illinois – like California – has demonstrated it welcomes immigrants and trusts its residents to help one another thrive. CHIRLA stands with our brothers and sisters in the Prairie State, and we will be with them as they fight this vicious attack by the Trump Administration and Attorney General Pam Bondi," said Angelica Salas, Executive Director, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA).
“As organizations dedicated to protecting the rights and dignity of immigrants in Colorado,we stand in unwavering solidarity with Chicago, Illinois and all communities facing legal and political attacks for upholding fundamental human rights. This lawsuit is yet another attempt to criminalize compassion and undermine the values of safety, dignity, and inclusion that so many cities—including Denver—have committed to upholding. We see how this administration continues its attempts to roll back decades of progress in the fight for immigrant rights, but let us be clear: we will not be intimidated," said Gladis Ibarra, Co-Executive Director, Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition.
“For years Chicago has been the focus MAGA-aligned elected officials in an attempt to sow discord among neighbors and upend the multi-racial, multi-issue movement that has made Illinois a beacon for those seeking safety and opportunity. As the Trump administration continues to target our communities, immigrants and our allies across the state of Illinois have no intention of giving in to the pressure to comply in advance. We’re going to fight for our values, preserve the pro-immigrant policies that make our state a welcoming place for all, and set the tone for the national movement to push back against Trump’s anti-family, mass deportation agenda," said Lawrence Benito, Executive Director, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR).
“Maine and Illinois are very different places, but we have in common that most of us would do anything to protect our families. But MAGA Republicans don’t care about our families. They just want to seize more money and power by creating fear and chaos among people who came here for a better life, and by holding our communities hostage while they carry out their cruel policies. Their move to use the Department of Justice to attack our cities and our values will not stand. We stand in solidarity with Illinois and Chicago as they stand up for the rights of the people who make their homes there," said Ibrahim, Immigrant Rights Organizer, Maine People’s Alliance.
"When immigrants risk deportation and permanent family separation by calling the fire department, dropping their kids off at school or going to the hospital, none of us are safe. The Trump administration's unconstitutional and irrational attempts to undermine public safety by allowing ICE to make arrests at schools, churches and hospitals, and to use local law enforcement resources to effectuate their program of mass deportation, will cause long lasting harm. Our cities know this best. We stand with Chicago, Cook County and the state of Illinois, as they protect immigrants and our constitutional rights," said Theo Oshiro, Co-Executive Director, Make the Road States.
“As a network of Asian American community-based organizations across six states including our Illinois affiliate HANA Center, NAKASEC will support the defense of the Illinois Trust Act and the Chicago and Cook County Welcoming ordinances. We are proud of the strong pro-immigrant stance in Illinois and will work with our affiliate and other partners to protect our community members there and across the country,” said Jung Woo Kim, Co-Director, NAKASEC.
“Officials in many places across the country have long understood that immigration enforcement is the federal government’s domain and that staying out of it makes for safer and stronger communities. The Trump administration’s attempt to bully Illinois and Chicago into doing its bidding holds no water. Simply put, no one is required to participate in Trump’s destructive and cruel mass deportations agenda," said Kica Matos, President, National Immigration Law Center.
“Illinois has led the way for the rest of the country in establishing a welcoming state for all communities, including immigrants, that ensures safety and security for all. Weaponizing the Department of Justice to punish states for supporting and protecting immigrants is cruel and another way the Trump administration is detracting from their ability to govern and deliver any real change to Americans. Instead they’re more interested in scapegoating immigrants and the states who won’t automatically cave to Trump’s bullying tactics. OneAmerica in Washington state stands with Illinois, Cook County and Chicago and applauds their leaders for being on the right side of history in this dark moment. We will work hand in hand to advance pro-immigrant policies throughout the country which is the real solution to public safety," said Roxana Norouzi, Executive Director, OneAmerica.
“Illinois and Chicago are standing on the right side of history by protecting immigrant families. This lawsuit is nothing more than an attempt to strong-arm communities into aiding a cruel and unjust agenda. We stand in solidarity with Illinois and Chicago as they defend their right to keep families safe and together. Across the country, immigrant advocates, local leaders, and communities are uniting against these attacks. We will not be intimidated—we will continue to fight for dignity, justice, and the protection of all immigrant families," said Antonio Alarcon, Senior Immigration Organizer, Popular Democracy.
“We stand in solidarity with our organizing family in Illinois and across the country. As founders and steering committee member of the Nevada Immigrant Coalition we care deeply about the rights of immigrants, refugees, their families, and the communities they live. We won’t allow this Administration to ignore the constitution and undo decades of organizing progress and community resilience. Immigrant communities have been under attack for decades, and we are ready for this next fight," said Laura Martin, Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada Executive Director.
“Sanctuary policies like those adopted by Illinois and Chicago protect their vibrant and beautiful communities, including the immigrant and refugee families that are part of their culture and identity. These policies are adopted to recognize that immigrants make our nation great. This lawsuit is an attempt to force states and cities to bend to the will of Donald Trump. However, no state, county, or city can be mandated to carry out Trump’s draconian mass deportation plans. Illinois and Chicago have taken the brave stand that they will not support or cooperate with the separation of families or the decimation of our communities. SIREN is proud to stand with them," said Huy Tran, Executive Director, Services, Immigrant Rights and Education Network (SIREN).