Intensified Immigration Enforcement Planned by Trump Administration in Chicago
In a move that dovetails with President Trump's promise to take his crackdown on crime beyond Washington, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced plans for a significant immigration operation in Chicago. The proposed operation, if approved by the Department of Defense, could potentially last for the month of September.
Tom Homan, Trump's former border czar, has confirmed discussions about using Naval Station Great Lakes as a staging area for the operation. However, he has not specified the number of people who may be sent there. The draft request for the operation involves 250 department personnel and includes space for bathrooms, laundry, parking for 140 vehicles, and storage space for medical supplies and weapons like rubber bullets and tear gas.
The advance team from the homeland security team is scheduled to arrive on September 2. The operation at Naval Station Great Lakes would include a Tactical Operations Center and an Incident Command Post.
The Trump administration has ramped up immigration enforcement across the country, seeking to target and arrest people in jurisdictions that typically don't work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Since Trump took office, ICE has made at least 1,000 arrests in the Chicago area. Almost 90% of the arrests in Illinois have been at-large arrests, a similar share to last year.
The city plans to ensure Chicagoans know their rights and help families learn what to do if detained. Mayor Brandon Johnson of Chicago has issued a blistering response to the reports of the crackdown, rejecting any attempts that could put Chicagoans in danger.
The Trump administration has called Chicago a "mess" and has clashed with city leadership over its status as a sanctuary city. The Gates Foundation has cut ties with a firm linked to Democrats amidst the immigration debate.
The Homeland Security Department has been arresting and deporting individuals labeled as "the worst of the worst," including gang members, murderers, pedophiles, and rapists. The aim is to carry out the mass deportation campaign promised by Trump during his campaign. Immigration officials are under increasing pressure to make more arrests and deport a growing number of people.
However, arrests have almost doubled compared with the same period in 2024, but the increase is smaller than in most other states. The request for use of Naval Station Great Lakes is awaiting review by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The operation could be a significant development in the ongoing immigration debate, and updates are expected as the situation progresses.
