President Donald Trump continues to have his policies and agendas hamstrung by the federal judiciary, and this week was a prime example of what's happening.

According to Politico, a federal judge tossed a lawsuit filed by the Trump administration against Illinois. Trump wanted the state -- specifically the Chicago area -- to aid it in its mass deportation initiatives, which the city and state have refused to do.

The federal judge, U.S. District Judge Lindsay Jenkins, argued that the lawsuit would "encroach on autonomy guaranteed to states under the Constitution."

Judge Jenkins also argued that the Trump administration's attempt to end the idea of sanctuary cities would be an "end-run around the Tenth Amendment."

What's going on?

The judge noted that while states are allowed to make the decision to work with the federal government on such immigration and deportation policies, they can't be forced to do so.

Politico noted:

In a 64-page ruling Friday, the Biden-appointed judge said federal laws “permit” states to cooperate with the federal government on immigration enforcement, but do not require it. Therefore, states can’t be forced to partner with federal efforts, she said, citing a series of Supreme Court rulings that block the federal government from “commandeering” state or local officials to perform federal duties.

The tossing of the lawsuit is undoubtedly a defeat for the Trump administration, which has filed similar lawsuits in other deep blue states like New York.

Illinois passed a law in 2021 that essentially turns the state into a sanctuary state.

Politico explained:

An Illinois state law passed in 2021 and related policies prohibit local and state officials from sharing any person’s custody status, release date, or contact information with federal immigration officials.

Trump's Department of Justice argued that the state law was preempted by federal law. Judge Jenkins rejected the argument.

JUST IN: A Biden-appointed judge just BLOCKED the Trump administration from cracking down on sanctuary laws in Illinois.

The judge sided with Chicago and Illinois—where officials are forbidden from cooperating with ICE, even during mass deportations.

ICE can’t get info. No… pic.twitter.com/yNlBrCl49E

— Tony Lane 🇺🇸 (@TonyLaneNV) July 26, 2025

Social media reacts

Users across social media had plenty to say about the judge tossing the DOJ-led lawsuit against Illinois.

"Cut off ALL funding to sanctuary cities and states," one X user wrote.

Another X user wrote, "This may sound stupid, but I feel like all cases that affect the entire state/country should be heard by more than one judge. Its crazy that one single person has this type of authority."