ICE in Chicago: Donald Trump's immigration crackdown could start this week ahead of Mexican Independence Day 2025 celebrations
As the city braces for an ICE surge and the possibility of the National Guard, Mayor Brandon Johnson joined the labor movement on Monday to verbally fight back against the Trump administration.
"No federal troops in the city of Chicago! No militarized force in the city of Chicago!" Johnson said.
Johnson opened his Labor Day remarks with defiance, making it clear once again that a surge of ICE agents and the National Guard are not welcome in Chicago.
"We are going to protect the humanity of every single person in the city of Chicago," Johnson said.
Johnson spoke in front of a spirited crowd of several hundred who marched in support of union workers and against the Trump administration. It followed a much quieter event over the weekend at City Hall, where the mayor signed an executive order called "Protecting Chicago." It reaffirms the city's Sanctuary City status and urges federal agents not to wear masks.
In the meantime, Naval Station Great Lakes in North Chicago is preparing to be the base of operations for more ICE agents.
"We do intend to add more resources, to those operations, I won't disclose the details," said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Appearing on CBS's Face the Nation on Sunday, Noem confirmed that ramped-up immigration enforcement is coming to Illinois but stopped short of saying that the National Guard is coming, too.
"I think it goes hand in hand that first, agents would be sent here in hopes by the administration that an incident erupts to further justify Trump calling our National Guard," said Rep. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, D-Illinois' 4th District.
As the city prepares to celebrate Mexican Independence Day next weekend, Garcia urged residents to stay calm and not provoke ICE agents.
Former Education Secretary Arne Duncan says outreach workers with his anti-violence organization Chicago CRED are preparing to keep the peace.
"Trump wants conflict. Trump wants escalation. We cannot give him what he wants. We have to defend democracy. That is what this is about," Duncan said.
As for when the ICE surge begins, there are reports agents may arrive as soon as Tuesday. There is no timetable for the National Guard's potential arrival. That decision is up to Trump.
