Chicago Braces for Federal Operation

Los,Angeles,,Usa,,June,8,,2025:,Homeland,Security,Police

The Trump administration is deploying a massive federal force to Chicago next week, using a military base as a staging ground to launch one of the largest immigration enforcement operations in years.

Story Highlights

Federal agents including ICE and Border Patrol will stage at Naval Station Great Lakes for major Chicago deportation operation
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker pledge zero cooperation with federal immigration enforcement
Operation follows Trump’s pattern of targeting sanctuary cities that defy federal immigration law
Illinois law enforcement agencies commit to refusing partnership with ICE deportation efforts

Trump Administration Mobilizes Federal Resources

Border Czar Tom Homan confirmed the Trump administration is ramping up deportation operations nationwide, with Chicago becoming the next major target. Federal agents from ICE and Border Patrol are being housed at Naval Station Great Lakes, marking an unprecedented use of military facilities for immigration enforcement staging. The operation represents President Trump’s commitment to enforcing federal immigration law despite local obstruction from sanctuary jurisdictions.

BOOM 💥

Chicago Sun Times reports that the Great Lakes Naval Base in North Chgo is getting ready to house ICE agts and possible National Guard troops as soon as next week

It worked in D.C and it'll work in Chicago too

This is what I voted for… my vote counted 👍 pic.twitter.com/uJ822sBPK4

— @Chicago1Ray 🇺🇸 (@Chicago1Ray) August 28, 2025

Sanctuary City Officials Mount Resistance Campaign

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker have received no briefing from federal authorities about the planned operations. Both officials publicly declared their jurisdictions will not assist ICE agents in any capacity. State Representative Rita Mayfield announced that nearly every law enforcement agency in Illinois has committed to refusing partnership with ICE on deportations, citing the state’s Trust Act which prohibits local police cooperation without criminal warrants.

Watch: DHS seeking to use Naval Station Great Lakes to support ICE operations

Federal Authority Versus Local Defiance

The operation highlights the fundamental tension between federal immigration enforcement and sanctuary city policies that shield illegal immigrants from deportation. Chicago has long maintained sanctuary status, restricting local law enforcement from assisting federal immigration authorities. This jurisdictional standoff echoes similar confrontations in Los Angeles, where federal raids sparked widespread protests and community unrest among immigrant advocacy groups.

The Trump administration’s use of Naval Station Great Lakes demonstrates the federal government’s determination to overcome local resistance through independent resources. Federal agents will operate without local assistance, relying on their own intelligence and logistics capabilities to conduct enforcement actions throughout the Chicago metropolitan area.

Constitutional Authority Prevails Over Local Politics

Immigration enforcement remains exclusively within federal jurisdiction under the Constitution, regardless of local sanctuary policies. The deployment of federal resources to Chicago represents the proper exercise of presidential authority to enforce existing immigration laws that Congress has enacted. Sanctuary cities cannot legally prevent federal agents from operating within their jurisdictions, though they can refuse voluntary cooperation that would make operations more efficient.

This enforcement action signals the Trump administration’s broader strategy to challenge sanctuary jurisdictions nationwide. The operation’s success could serve as a model for similar enforcement campaigns in other sanctuary cities that harbor individuals subject to federal immigration law violations.