Federal Immigration Push in Chicago Faces Strong Local Resistance
President Trump's administration plans a Chicago immigration crackdown via Naval Station Great Lakes, facing strong rejection from Mayor Johnson and Governor Pritzker.
Trump asks military base outside Chicago for operational support
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Overview
- The Trump administration requested Naval Station Great Lakes near Chicago for Department of Homeland Security immigration operations, including facilities and infrastructure for up to 200 ICE officials.
- Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker rejected the federal assistance, stating the city does not require such help due to significant decreases in violent crime.
- DHS is in talks with Naval Station Great Lakes for ICE staff infrastructure, with immigration enforcement operations potentially involving up to 200 officials starting as early as next week.
- City leaders are preparing for various scenarios, distributing "know-your-rights" cards in immigrant neighborhoods, and warning of potential community backlash against federal deployment.
- Governor Pritzker threatened a response if the National Guard is deployed, as Senator Dick Durbin and Chicago officials have not approved President Trump's plan.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame Trump's Chicago immigration enforcement plan as a controversial, politically motivated federal overreach. They emphasize strong local opposition, highlighting the lack of coordination with city officials and questioning the plan's stated rationale by presenting counter-evidence regarding Chicago's crime rates. The narrative portrays the federal action as an unwelcome imposition.
"Whether Trump can repeat what he’s done in LA and the nation’s capital — call up the National Guard and have it assist a surge of federal law enforcement and immigration officers — is an open question and likely to become a point of contention should he press forward."
Chicago Tribune"Officials and community leaders are bristling at plans from the Trump administration to conduct a major immigration enforcement initiative in Chicago, an apparent expansion of the president’s previously announced plans to bring in the National Guard."
USA TODAY"Whether Trump can repeat what he’s done in LA and the nation's capital — call up the National Guard and have it assist a surge of federal law enforcement and immigration officers — is an open question and likely to become a point of contention should he press forward."
ABC News"The operation in the country's third-largest city is expected to last about 30 days and could start as early as Sept. 5, a Department of Homeland Security official told The Associated Press on Friday."
ABC News"Whether Trump can repeat what he’s done in LA and the nation’s capital — call up the National Guard and have it assist a surge of federal law enforcement and immigration officers — is an open question and likely to become a point of contention should he press forward."
Associated Press"The Republican administration is likely to face resistance to any operation from the region’s top Democratic officials, as it has in California from Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass."
Associated Press"A major immigration enforcement operation could come to the city as soon as next week, CNN and The New York Times both reported on Aug. 28, citing unnamed administration sources."
USA TODAY"The Trump administration is preparing to launch major immigration enforcement operations in Chicago next week employing tactics that sparked protests in Los Angeles, sources tell CBS News."
CBS News"Chicago is on high alert, with Snelling stressing that his officers won’t assist ICE agents who attempt to conduct raids, nor will Chicago cops ask for the immigration status of crime victims or anyone seeking help."
Chicago Sun-Times"The discussions come as Trump has ramped up threats to deploy federal troops to Chicago, casting it as a crime-ridden city."
Semafor"City leaders said Thursday that the White House hadn’t contacted them about its plans, and a spokesman for the Illinois National Guard said the base hadn’t received requests regarding a Chicago mobilization."
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FAQ
The Trump administration requested Naval Station Great Lakes near Chicago to provide facilities and infrastructure to accommodate up to 200 ICE officials for immigration enforcement operations.
City leaders oppose the federal plan because violent crime in Chicago has significantly decreased in 2025, with shootings and homicides each down more than 30%, reducing the perceived need for additional federal assistance.
Chicago officials are preparing by distributing 'know-your-rights' cards in immigrant neighborhoods and warning residents of potential community backlash against the federal deployment of ICE officials.
Governor Pritzker has threatened a response if the National Guard is deployed to participate in the immigration enforcement effort, reflecting strong state-level opposition.
No, Senator Dick Durbin and Chicago officials have not approved President Trump's plan for immigration enforcement involving the deployment of ICE personnel to Naval Station Great Lakes.
History
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