(The Center Square) – Chicago and Cook County officials continue to push back against the U.S. Department of Justice’s lawsuit challenging migrant sanctuary policies.
In the past 100 days of Donald Trump’s administration, the White House says they’ve reduced illegal border crossings by more than 90% from the Biden administration.
Visiting Springfield Wednesday, Chicago Mayor Johnson said it was the city with their bus restriction ordinance that slowed so-called new arrivals coming to the city before Trump took office.
“By the time we were in the DNC, there were essentially no individuals being transported to the city of Chicago,” Johnson told members of the media. “So, the border control you’re speaking of actually happened during the Biden administration.”
Also visiting Springfield Wednesday, Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle said she wasn’t familiar with a DOJ assertion that an illegal alien released from Cook County jail without immigration officials being able to detain them was arrested 17 days later, accused of murder.
“We’re going to fight the federal government’s efforts to allege that we are not compliant with immigration law,” Preckwinkle told members of the media. “My view is that immigration enforcement is the obligation of the federal government. Let them do their job.”
Asked about the DOJ’s assertion that migrant sanctuary policies are hurting public safety and obstructing federal immigration officials from enforcing the law, Johnson said he’s keeping Chicago safe.
“We’re gonna continue to do all that is necessary to create a safer Chicago for all,” he said.
Johnson further said he will continue to push back against Trump over immigration and more.
“And that’s why there are significant lawsuits all across the country that are pushing back against the unconstitutional nature of his iniquitous form of governance,” Johnson said.
Tuesday evening, the state, Cook County and city of Chicago filed separate briefs replying to the DOJ’s response to Illinois’ motion to dismiss. The case continues.
