Chicago to file federal lawsuit over sanctuary cities threat

Mayor Rahm Emanuel says Chicago will continuing fighting President Donald Trump's immigration policies with a lawsuit alleging it's illegal for the government to withhold public safety grants from so-called sanctuary cities.

The federal lawsuit is expected to be filed today. A day earlier Emanuel said Chicago won't "be blackmailed" into changing its values as a welcoming city.

Chicago officials say there are new qualifications for a grant requiring cities to share information with federal immigration authorities, which they allege are unconstitutional.

Chicago received over USD 2 million in such grants last year, which have been used for buying police vehicles.
 

Two law firms are helping Chicago with the case on a pro bono basis.

Federal officials threatened to withhold funding for sanctuary cities, saying they don't comply with federal laws.