Justice Department files second anti-sanctuary lawsuit against Illinois

The Trump administration filed a new immigration lawsuit Thursday against Illinois, arguing the state illegally discourages businesses from signing up for E-Verify, the federal system that can weed illegal immigrants out of the workforce.

Justice Department lawyers said E-Verify is a key tool to shut down illegal immigration because it helps dry up the jobs that attract and keep migrants here.

But Illinois’ 2024 workplace privacy law could scare employers from using the system, the feds said, because it creates more hoops for businesses that want to use the system, and extra rights for employees — including damages if they can prove they were mistreated during verification.

“Any state that incentivizes illegal immigration and makes it harder for federal authorities to do their job will face legal consequences from this administration,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said.

The lawsuit is the second her department has launched against Illinois.

A previous one challenged sanctuary policies at the state level and in Cook County and Chicago that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. That lawsuit is in the early stages.

President Trump has ordered his administration to pressure jurisdictions that thwart immigration enforcement.