Chicago Braces for Potential National Guard Deployment Amidst Immigration Enforcement Surge

Chicago is on high alert as the possibility of National Guard troops being deployed to the city looms, a move local leaders are vehemently preparing to resist. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson are mobilizing against the potential federal intervention, which is anticipated to coincide with an expected surge in immigration enforcement.

Despite warnings from the Trump administration that troops could be in place as early as Friday and active by Saturday, no official confirmation has been provided to the state, according to Gov. Pritzker. Vice President JD Vance, however, stated Wednesday that there are “no immediate plans” for deployment, contradicting earlier remarks from President Trump who called Chicago the “worst and most dangerous city” and indicated federal intervention was imminent.

Local officials are denouncing any federalized troop presence, preparing for potential dramatic raids and disruptive protests. Governor Pritzker has vowed to challenge any deployment legally, stating the state will file a lawsuit once Trump’s justification is clear. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has echoed this, calling the plan “not only bad strategy, but it is illegal.”

Mayor Johnson has issued an executive order directing the Chicago Police Department not to cooperate with federal agents on civil immigration enforcement. The order explicitly prohibits CPD personnel from participating in joint patrols, arrest operations, or other duties alongside federal law enforcement, military, or National Guard units involved in immigration enforcement. This stance is bolstered by a recent federal court ruling in San Francisco that found a similar deployment in Los Angeles in June to be unlawful.

The potential federal action is causing widespread concern, particularly in communities with large immigrant populations. The village of Broadview, home to an ICE facility, is bracing for increased protests, with its mayor, Katrina Thompson, informing residents that the ICE building is scheduled to operate seven days a week for approximately 45 continuous days. The Chicago Teachers Union has begun distributing flyers in English and Spanish to educate families on their rights, reminding them they can remain silent and do not have to consent to searches or disclose citizenship status.

Concerns are also mounting over the timing of this enforcement push, with Governor Pritzker suggesting it could be intentionally disruptive to Mexican Independence Day celebrations in mid-September. Despite fears of intimidation and potential ICE presence, organizers like Vicky Lugo confirm Saturday’s Mexican Independence Day Parade in Pilsen will proceed, with precautions in place to inform attendees of their rights and monitor for any incidents.

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