The federal lawsuit is the first by Trump's Justice Department against states or municipalities that have sanctuary city policies.

Federal lawsuit challenges Illinois' sanctuary state laws that limit local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities

The U.S. Justice Department sued the state of Illinois and city of Chicago on Thursday, accusing the Democratic strongholds of unlawfully interfering with Republican President Donald Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration and seeking a court order blocking so-called sanctuary laws.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who did not immediately respond to request for comment, has defended the city's sanctuary laws. He and other mayors plan to testify next month at a

It appears to be the first Justice Department lawsuit against local officials for allegedly interfering with the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.