Illinois GOP Rep. Mary Miller Urges Sheriffs to Defy Sanctuary Laws Amid Clash With Governor Pritzker

Illinois Republican Rep. Mary Miller is making some serious waves by urging sheriffs across the state to ignore Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker’s sanctuary policies and instead work directly with federal immigration authorities.

Miller didn’t mince words, declaring that Illinois has become a "cesspool of crime and drugs" due to the state’s sanctuary laws. She’s calling for sheriffs to bypass Pritzker and cooperate with U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE), supporting President Trump’s immigration agenda rather than the governor’s.

Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, both Democrats, have been vocal opponents of Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration. Back in 2017, the Illinois legislature passed the TRUST Act, which restricts local police from cooperating with ICE or enforcing federal immigration laws. Miller argues that these policies have created a haven for crime, and she’s not shy about calling out Pritzker’s "failed leadership."

The Democratic governor, rumored to have his eye on a 2028 presidential run, has gone as far as calling Trump an "authoritarian" and urging mass protests against the former president’s agenda. He’s made it clear that he intends to resist any federal immigration push and has accused both Trump and former border czar Tom Homan of "threatening people."

ICE, for its part, claims that state and local policies blocking cooperation endanger both agents and communities by letting public safety risks walk free. The Trump-era Department of Justice has even filed legal action against Pritzker, Mayor Johnson, and other Chicago officials, arguing that refusing ICE detainers makes it harder for federal agents to safely detain and deport individuals who are in the country illegally.

While city police usually answer to local government, sheriffs are elected by the people and have a little more wiggle room—and Miller’s hoping they’ll use it to take a stand. She’s urging every sheriff in Illinois to "defy these dangerous directives, cooperate with ICE, and support President Trump’s deportation efforts." Her words are as sharp as ever, blaming Pritzker’s sanctuary policies for a surge in drugs and crime—"brought by the illegals he is actively resettling," as she puts it.

Miller painted a grim picture, claiming communities are being "overwhelmed," with innocent people suffering the consequences, and called for immediate action to prevent more harm. Pritzker’s office, meanwhile, stayed silent and didn’t respond to requests for comment. Guess they’re keeping their cards close to the chest on this one.