Illinois, Chicago File Lawsuit Over 'Unlawful And Dangerous Tactics' Used By ICE, Trump Administration

Illinois is suing the United States Department of Homeland Security and Trump administration officials over the "unlawful and dangerous tactics" used by immigration enforcement agents, Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced Monday.

The suit comes days after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent fatally shot a U.S. citizen in Minnesota.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois's Eastern Division, argued the Trump administration has "unleashed an organized bombardment on the State of Illinois and City of Chicago, causing turmoil and imposing a climate of fear." The City of Chicago joined the state as a plaintiff in the case.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyons, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott, and U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino were among the defendants listed.

The lawsuit states that since "Operation Midway Blitz" began in September in Chicago, ICE and CPB agents have killed one Illinois resident, shot another and raided an apartment building, detaining all its residents, including children. It also notes that agents have arrested hundreds of people without warrants and have used chemical weapons on peaceful residents.

RELATED: Border Patrol Commander Returns To Reignite 'Operation Midway Blitz' In Chicago: Reports

Raoul called the operation an "assault on the state's sovereignty" and a violation of the Tenth Amendment and Administrative Procedure Act.

By filing the lawsuit, Raoul said he is fighting for the "safety of the people of Illinois and the sovereignty of our state," citing schools going into lockdown, social service organizations reducing their services, and courthouse operations increasingly being hindered.

"Border Patrol agents and ICE officers have acted as occupiers rather than officers of the law," Raoul said in a statement Monday.

Governor JB Pritzker echoed Raoul, saying, "Unchecked federal agents have aggressively assaulted and terrorized our communities and neighborhoods in Illinois, undermining Constitutional rights and threatening public safety."

His statement continued: "In the face of the Trump Administration’s cruelty and intimidation, Illinois is standing up against the attacks on our people. Today, Illinois is once again taking Donald Trump to court to hold his administration accountable for their unlawful tactics, unnecessary escalations, and flagrant abuses of power."

In his request for judgment, Raoul asked the court to order federal agents to stop using tactics that exceed their statutory authority granted by Congress, including dispensing tear gas without warning, scanning the biometric information of Illinoisans, and entering private property without a warrant or permission from the owner.

The lawsuit requested enforcement activities be prohibited in or near courthouses, schools, hospitals and other sensitive locations, except in "extenuating circumstances and with safeguards." Raoul also asked the court to require all CBP and ICE vehicles to have visible, accurate license plates properly assigned and registered to each vehicle.

"The Trump administration has repeatedly violated the law and undermined public trust," Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a statement. "These actions weren’t just unlawful; they were cruel, needlessly inflicting fear and harm on our communities. My administration will forcefully protect our residents’ rights and hold anyone accountable who abuses their power. Nobody is above the law. This lawsuit is about ensuring there is accountability for the lawless actions of the Trump administration and justice for the Chicagoans who have been wronged."

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