The Chicago space is bracing for extra immigration enforcement, which may begin as quickly as Friday, based on Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.
At a press convention earlier this week, Pritzker mentioned that U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement operations would ramp up in Chicago over the weekend — at the same time as quickly as Friday. There may very well be as much as 300 ICE brokers, based on native officers.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker speaks throughout a press convention, Sept. 2, 2025, in Chicago.
Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP by way of Getty Pictures
In response to the added ICE enforcement, metropolis officers from neighboring communities are bracing for the impression of as much as the brokers, based on Gregory Jackson, who serves because the Chief of Workers in North Chicago, Illinois. Brokers and officers are anticipated to function out of the Nice Lakes Naval Station for about 30 days, he mentioned.
Fencing was seen going across the federal courthouse in Chicago, in anticipation of the enforcement actions occurring. Additionally, brokers and officers are anticipated to function out of the Nice Lakes Naval Station for about 30 days, Jackson mentioned.
El Grito Chicago, the town’s pageant for Mexican Independence Day, has postponed the occasion scheduled for subsequent weekend due to the ICE exercise.
“It was a painful resolution, however holding El Grito Chicago right now places the protection of our group at stake – and that is a danger we’re unwilling to take,” the occasion posted on its website.
In the meantime, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is pushing again on the expanded ICE presence, saying that the town would not “need or want militarized immigration enforcement in our metropolis.”
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, in entrance of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, speaks throughout a press convention on experiences of federal deployments in Chicago, September 2, 2025.
Jim Vondruska/Reuters
The elevated enforcement comes as President Donald Trump has mentioned he would deploy National Guard troops to Chicago due to crime within the metropolis. Trump has repeatedly singled out Chicago as he has mulled sending the Guard to different main American cities following his federal takeover of Washington. Trump has mentioned he most well-liked cities ask for his administration’s assistance.
Pritzker has pushed again on the Trump administration’s involvement in Chicago, saying “I cannot name the president, asking him to ship troops to Chicago. I’ve made that clear already,” Pritzker mentioned.
A Division of Homeland Safety spokesperson advised ABC Information that the enforcement is focusing on the “worst of the worst” criminals.
“It’s no shock that these criminals flock to sanctuary cities the place politicians shield them and permit them to roam free on American streets placing American lives in danger,” the spokespersons mentioned. “DHS will go to wherever these felony unlawful aliens are — together with Chicago, Boston and different cities. Below President Trump and Secretary Noem, nowhere is a secure haven for felony unlawful aliens. For those who come to our nation illegally and break our legal guidelines, we’ll hunt you down, arrest you, deport you, and you’ll by no means return.”
