By Were Kelly
The city of Chicago has formally declined millions of dollars in federal law enforcement grants from the US Department of Justice, citing requirements that would force the city to cooperate with the Trump administration’s mass deportation plans.
The decision reinforces Chicago’s status as a “sanctuary city” and sets the stage for a potential legal and political clash with the federal government.
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office announced the move, framing it as a matter of principle over funding. A statement from the mayor’s office read, “Our values are not for sale. We choose principles over dollars, and the safety and trust of all our residents, regardless of status, is our paramount principle.”
The rejected grants were tied to federal programmes that the administration argued would mandate local police to act as immigration enforcement agents, a practice the city says damages community policing efforts.
The decision highlights the stark urban-rural divide in approaches to immigration enforcement across the United States. While many conservative-led states and localities have embraced the federal government’s strict policies, major metropolitan areas like Chicago have actively resisted them.
A community organiser with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights praised the move, saying, “This is what true leadership looks like. It tells our immigrant neighbours that we are a welcoming city, not just in word, but in deed.”
Critics, including some law enforcement figures, argued that the city was turning down crucial resources that could enhance public safety for all residents.
“This is an ideological decision that hurts Chicagoans. These funds pay for equipment and personnel that keep communities safe, and the mayor has just handed them back,” said a representative for a local police union.
The city is now exploring alternative funding mechanisms to offset the lost federal revenue. The standoff is likely to escalate, with the Department of Justice potentially challenging Chicago’s sanctuary policies in court, ensuring that immigration remains a deeply contentious and polarising issue.
Source: Reuters
