President Donald Trump has often singled out Chicago and Illinois, which have some of the nation’s strongest protections for immigrants. Top administration officials last month visited the city to launch stepped up immigration enforcement and showcased footage of “border czar” Tom Homan making arrests on live television.

"Sanctuary cities are sanctuary for criminals," Trump's border czar Tom Homan told reporters at the White House.

Trump administration officials are suing Illinois and top state officials, hoping to force them to turn over suspected illegal immigrants rather than releasing them from jails and state prisons. The lawsuit filed Thursday is among the most recent efforts by Trump officials to push liberal-led states,