Latest news with #WelcomingCityAct
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Puppy-Killer Noem Trolled Over Latest ICE ‘Publicity Stunt'
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday made it clear that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is not welcome in his state. The comments, in which he mocked Noem's admitted dog-killing ways, came after she slammed the state's sanctuary status in a press conference. The enactment of Illinois' TRUST Act, the Way Forward Act, the Welcoming City Act, and a Cook County ordinance, limits how local authorities can aid U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) agents in federal immigration enforcement actions. Noem claimed that 'people are dying every day' because of such policies. 'People are evading justice,' Noem said during the conference, which was held near a street corner in downtown Springfield, reported the Chicago Tribune. Noem further alleged that Pritzker was 'violating the Constitution' by not cooperating with the federal government. 'Governors like JB Pritzker don't care if gangbangers, murderers, rapists and pedophiles roam free in his state,' she said. Gov. JB Pritzker is a battle-tested Democrat known for his thick skin and bloated bank account. / Chicago Tribune / TNS However, Pritzker wasted no time throwing such allegations back in her face. Ahead of her visit, Pritzker mocked Noem's dog-killing ways in a statement urging 'all pet owners in the region to make sure all of your beloved animals are under watchful protection.' The statement added, 'Despite the Trump Administration being in office for more than 100 days and falsely accusing Illinois of not following federal and state law, Secretary Noem and her team does not communicate with the State of Illinois and has not asked for support or coordination to enforce immigration laws,' Pritzker followed the press conference with another statement skewering Noem's actions as attention-seeking, The Hill reported. 'Trump-Noem publicity stunts do not make our communities safer or our immigration system smarter. Illinois doesn't need to abuse power or ignore the Constitution to keep our people safe,' said Pritzker. 'Like the millions of Americans asking for sensible, humane immigration reform, I encourage the Secretary to spend less time performing for Fox News and more time protecting the Homeland.' Noem's press conference came as her 'real ID' deadline went into effect, requiring travelers to have a state-issued driver's license or ID card meeting security requirements. But many travelers reported that the enforcement appeared to be mostly superficial. In Illinois, Pritzker also reminded Noem that she was visiting the state during Latino Unity Day. 'Secretary Noem must have not realized she was visiting during Latino Unity Day where we come together celebrate the vibrancy and diversity of our community,' Pritzker said. 'Today, Secretary Noem was met by a force stronger than her: the people of Illinois.'
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
In Illinois, Noem blasts state's sanctuary laws, prompting sarcastic response from Pritzker
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — During a visit Wednesday at the Illinois Capitol, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blasted the state's sanctuary laws aimed at hindering federal immigration efforts, prompting a sarcastic response from Gov. JB Pritzker. At a press conference, Noem called Illinois's sanctuary policies for illegal immigrants a safety concern, claiming Illinois doesn't protect its citizens. 'This governor has bragged about Illinois being a firewall against President Trump's immigration enforcement agenda, and it's very clear he's violating the Constitution of the United States because it is a federal law that the federal government and the president set to enforce immigration policy,' she said at a press conference. Illinois prevents local authorities from cooperating with U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) by way of the TRUST Act, the Way Forward Act, the Welcoming City Act, and a Cook County ordinance. 'I'm calling on Gov. Pritzker and all the other leaders of this state to abandon their dangerous sanctuary policies,' she added. 'I'm thankful for all the state leaders that are standing behind me who agree as well. They have been fighting an uphill battle with this governor, and I'm proud of them that they're standing here with us today and with these angel families, and saying enough is enough. We have to change as a state.' The night prior, Pritzker's office issued statement to the media, saying, 'Despite the Trump Administration being in office for more than 100 days and falsely accusing Illinois of not following federal and state law, Secretary Noem and her team does not communicate with the State of Illinois and has not asked for support or coordination to enforce immigration laws.' 'We would urge all pet owners in the region to make sure all of your beloved animals are under watchful protection while the Secretary is in the region,' Pritzker's office wrote, apparently a reference to a anecdote in her book, 'No Going Back: The Truth on What's Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward,' about killing a dog decades prior. On Wednesday, following Noem's press conference, Pritzker's office issued a press release in both English and Spanish, saying, 'Unlike Donald Trump and Kristi Noem, Illinois follows the law. The Trump Administration is violating the United States Constitution, denying people due process, and disappearing law-abiding neighbors – including children who are U.S. citizens. Yet, they are taking no real action to promote public safety and deport violent criminals within the clear and defined legal process.' Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Cherry Valley) weighed in on Noem's visit, saying, 'A visit by the Homeland Security Secretary sends a pretty strong message to the Pritzker Administration. The federal government is shining a national light on what many Illinoisans already know. Gov. JB Pritzker's sanctuary state policies are reckless, dangerous, and putting lives at risk. He has repeatedly proclaimed Illinois as the 'most welcoming state in the nation,' but has little to say about what it's costing taxpayers or how many violent offenders have slipped through the cracks as a result.' Meanwhile, Noem's visit to Springfield arrived on the same day that REAL ID requirements began at U.S. airports. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias issued a statement criticizing Noem's messaging on the subject, saying, 'For months, Secretary Noem has been calling the May 7 date a 'deadline,' implying that Americans must have a 'REAL ID' or they cannot board any U.S.-based flights without a valid passport, which has sent people scrambling to get one ahead of [Wednesday],' Giannoulias said. 'For the past several months, this has resulted in long lines, frustration and – in many cases – pure panic among residents.' 'Instead of flying across the country to perform campaign-style political stunts designed to traumatize people and promote herself, she should do her damn job,' Giannoulias said. Pritzker has agreed to testify before a Congressional committee in defense of the state's sanctuary laws on June 12th, alongside Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and New York Mayor Kathy Hochul. The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Illinois, alleging the state and the city of Chicago interfere with federal immigration enforcement by violating the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution. 'Illinois state and local officers do not honor ICE detainers, including by allowing ICE access to aliens in their facilities – even in otherwise public areas of those facilities – for the purpose of safely transferring aliens into federal custody,' the statement reads. 'While ICE is undertaking re-apprehension efforts, the alien remains at-large in the community and free to commit further crimes or otherwise threaten public safety,' the DOJ said. President Donald Trump said his administration was taking efforts to withhold federal funding from cities and states with policies that limit local law enforcement from cooperating with federal authorities on some immigration matters. Pritzker has said that violent noncitizens 'should be imprisoned and, or if they're illegal, undocumented in this country and they are committing violent crimes they should be deported and turned over to authorities in their countries.' 'We should be protecting residents of the state of Illinois, even if they're undocumented residents, and providing a path to citizenship,' Pritzker added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
DOJ says Illinois obstructed ICE agents, released noncitizen offenders
WASHINGTON D.C. (WTVO) — The U.S. Department of Justice says Illinois released several noncitizen migrants who were later arrested for subsequent crimes, including homicide and sexual assault of children, as it makes the case for how the state's laws obstruct federal immigration authorities. The DOJ filed a for its motion for summary judgment against Illinois's sanctuary laws, arguing that the federal government has authority over immigration law and enforcement. 'Congress recently expanded the list of crimes that can trigger mandatory detention requirements to include burglary, theft, larceny, shoplifting, or assault of a law enforcement officer, or any crime that results in death or serious bodily injury to another person,' the DOJ said. 'Defendants' sanctuary policies cause significant harm to federal immigration enforcement and public safety by not honoring immigration detention orders, or helping facilitate access to detainees in local custody.' In its filing, the DOJ said Illinois obstructs efforts by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to remove criminal aliens from the country. Illinois prevents local authorities from cooperating with U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) by way of the TRUST Act, the Way Forward Act, the Welcoming City Act, and a Cook County ordinance. The lawsuit claims those laws violate the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution. According to the DOJ, ICE will issue a 'detainer' to local law enforcement when a noncitizen is held in custody for a crime. 'Illinois state and local officers do not honor ICE detainers, including by allowing ICE access to aliens in their facilities – even in otherwise public areas of those facilities – for the purpose of safely transferring aliens into federal custody,' the statement reads. 'While ICE is undertaking re-apprehension efforts, the alien remains at-large in the community and free to commit further crimes or otherwise threaten public safety,' the DOJ said. In its statement of material facts, the Justice Department highlighted several cases where detainer requests received no response, and the offender went on to commit subsequent crimes, including: a migrant being held in Cook County for domestic violence charges in August 2024 was released and subsequently charged with aggravated criminal sexual assault and abuse of a minor in September 2024; A migrant held in Cook County for criminal trespass was released in September 2024 and later arrested in Will County for the same offense. A migrant held in McHenry County on charges of possession of a stolen vehicle in September 2024 was released and later charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a minor, traveling to meet a minor, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor in Elgin in October 2024; A migrant held in Cook County in January 2024 for sexual assault of a minor was released and charged with homicide 17 days later. On Tuesday, Gov. Pritzker responded, 'We don't prevent the federal authorities from coming to our jails or coming to our prisons with a federal criminal warrant and take them. We, in fact, I would like them to do that, but it is up to them to go to a court to get that criminal warrant to take them away.' However, in the DOJ's statement, it countered, saying, 'When ICE attempts to stage an arrest outside of an Illinois state or local facility— including in a public parking lot—facility staff, usually at the direction of the warden, often commands ICE officers to leave the premises.' President Donald Trump said his administration was taking efforts to withhold federal funding from from cities and states with policies that limit local law enforcement from cooperating with federal authorities on some immigration matters. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has been before a congressional hearing on his state's sanctuary policies. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson testified before the same committee last month. Pritzker said he didn't think that as particularly productive and felt committee members are just looking for what he called 'a social media moment.' A spokesperson from his office dubbed the invitation 'another partisan dog and pony show.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pritzker vows to fight Trump: ‘He has no idea what he's up against when he attacks Illinois'
MARKHAM, Ill. (WTVO) — Gov. JB Pritzker vowed to fight a federal lawsuit accusing Illinois of interfering with the government's immigration and deportation efforts. 'In Illinois, we have grit, we are tough, we are strong and Donald Trump has no idea what he's up against when he attacks Illinois,' Pritzker said Friday. The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Illinois on Thursday, naming Gov. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson among the defendants. The suit claims state laws are 'designed to and in fact interfere with and discriminate against the Federal Government's enforcement of federal immigration law in violation of the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution.' 'Both the Governor of Illinois JB Pritzker and Mayor of Chicago Brandon Johnson, sued here in their official capacities, profess a shared interest with the Federal Government in enforcing immigration laws to effectuate the removal of such offenders from the United States,' according to the 23-page-lawsuit. Illinois prevents local authorities from cooperating with U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) by way of the TRUST Act, the Way Foreward Act, the Welcoming City Act, and a Cook County ordinance. The TRUST Act, signed in 2017, prohibits law enforcement agencies from detaining an individual based on their immigration status and prevents officers from questioning someone's immigration status. It also forbids law enforcement from transferring a detainee into federal custody unless by a court order. Chicago's Welcoming City Ordinance also forbids police from responding to ICE requests for a person's custody status or contact information and prohibits authorities from arresting an individual based on their immigration status. It also blocks police from assisting with immigration enforcement efforts. The lawsuit claims those laws violate the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The suit also claims that Illinois' immigration policies make it harder for federal authorities to arrest and detain dangerous criminals. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump DOJ sues Illinois, Chicago over ‘sanctuary' immigration policies
CHICAGO, Ill. (WTVO) — The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago claiming 'sanctuary' policies interfere with federal immigration enforcement. The suit, listing Gov. JB Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling, Cook County, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, claims state laws are 'designed to and in fact interfere with and discriminate against the Federal Government's enforcement of federal immigration law in violation of the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution.' 'Both the Governor of Illinois JB Pritzker and Mayor of Chicago Brandon Johnson, sued here in their official capacities, profess a shared interest with the Federal Government in enforcing immigration laws to effectuate the removal of such offenders from the United States,' according to the 23-page-lawsuit. 'The challenged provisions of Illinois, Chicago, and Cook County law reflect their intentional effort to obstruct the Federal Government's enforcement of federal immigration law and to impede consultation and communication between federal, state, and local law enforcement officials that is necessary for federal officials to carry out federal immigration law and keep Americans safe.' 'The conduct of officials in Chicago and Illinois minimally enforcing-and oftentimes affirmatively thwarting-federal immigration laws over a period of years has resulted in countless criminals being released into Chicago who should have been held for immigration removal from the United States,' the lawsuit . Illinois prevents local authorities from cooperating with U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) by way of the TRUST Act, the Way Foreward Act, the Welcoming City Act, and a Cook County ordinance. The TRUST Act, signed in 2017, prohibits law enforcement agencies from detaining an individual based on their immigration status and prevents officers from questioning someone's immigration status. It also forbids law enforcement from transferring a detainee into federal custody unless by a court order. Chicago's Welcoming City Ordinance also forbids police from responding to ICE requests for a person's custody status or contact information and prohibits authorities from arresting an individual based on their immigration status. It also blocks police from assisting with immigration enforcement efforts. The lawsuit claims those laws violate the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The suit also claims that Illinois' immigration policies make it harder for federal authorities to arrest and detain dangerous criminals. Pritzker has against the Trump administration's immigration policies, saying, 'Let there be no doubt we will stand up for all of our children and families. We will follow our state laws that protect the immigrant communities that live, work, and thrive in Illinois.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
