Immigrant advocacy groups in Chicago have taken legal action against the Trump administration and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) by filing a lawsuit. The lawsuit, initiated on Saturday, alleges that the planned deportation raids in the city are retaliatory and infringe upon the First Amendment rights of the immigrant community.
The lawsuit was brought forth by Organized Communities Against Deportation, the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, and Brighton Park Neighborhood Council. These groups argue that the administration's targeted raids in Chicago, which has sanctuary city status, are a direct violation of their constitutional rights.
The plaintiffs assert that President Trump and Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security have singled out Chicago as 'ground zero' for immigration enforcement. They claim that the federal government's intention to crack down on the city due to its sanctuary policies is an attempt to suppress the Sanctuary City movement, thereby impeding their freedom of speech guaranteed by the First Amendment.
The lawsuit comes amidst reports of an ongoing immigration enforcement blitz in Chicago, involving multiple federal agencies with expanded powers to apprehend undocumented immigrants. ICE, when approached for a statement, declined to comment on the pending litigation.
This legal challenge highlights the contentious debate surrounding immigration policies and enforcement practices in the United States. It underscores the efforts of advocacy groups to protect the rights of immigrant communities and uphold constitutional principles in the face of heightened enforcement actions.
