- Federal court rules Trump administration had no standing to sue Illinois
- 2017 law prevents state police from aiding ICE in civil immigration matters
- Governor Pritzker celebrates verdict, says Illinois respects the rule of law
A United States district court has dismissed a long-standing lawsuit brought by the Trump administration against the state of Illinois over its immigration-related laws.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the lawsuit challenged Illinois’ 2017 Trust Act, which bars local and state police from cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in civil immigration matters, unless a criminal warrant or court order is involved.
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In a ruling delivered this week, the judge held that the federal government lacked the legal grounds to pursue the case. The court also dismissed related claims against the Cook County Board of Commissioners, stating that the board cannot be sued independently from the county itself.
Although the case has been dismissed without prejudice meaning it can be amended and refiled the court warned that if the administration fails to act by a set deadline, the dismissal will become permanent.
Reacting to the decision, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker posted on social media: “Illinois just beat the Trump Administration in federal court. Their case challenging the bipartisan TRUST Act was dismissed unlike the President, we follow the law and listen to the courts.”
In a more detailed statement, his office stressed that Illinois’ approach to immigration enforcement aligns with federal law, adding that the ruling affirms the state’s decision to focus police efforts on crime fighting rather than implementing federal immigration agendas.
Cook County State’s Attorney, Eileen O’Neill Burke, praised the decision, saying it reflected the state’s right to set local law enforcement priorities. She also applauded her legal team for defending the county against what she described as federal overreach.
The White House has not yet commented on the court’s decision as of press time.
