CHICAGO (PulseWire) — Illinois officials have taken legal action against President Trump to halt the deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago as part of a controversial immigration enforcement initiative. This move intensifies the ongoing conflict between Democratic state leaders and the Republican administration over immigration policies.
The lawsuit arises just hours after a judge issued a ruling blocking Guard deployments in Portland, Oregon, signaling growing unease around the aggressive federal tactics being employed in major cities.
Governor JB Pritzker indicated that about 300 Illinois Guard members were set to be federalized and sent to aid the crackdown, with additional troops from Texas. Pritzker, alongside other state officials, has condemned the federal intervention as unnecessary and exacerbating the current situation.
The lawsuit claims that these federal actions represent an unlawful “war” on cities like Chicago, noting, The American people, regardless of where they reside, should not live under the threat of occupation by the United States military...
The decision to send troops has been characterized by the Trump administration as a necessary measure to combat violence and lawlessness. However, local leaders argue that the presence of military forces disrupts the community and fosters tension amongst residents, already uneasy from recent immigration enforcement actions.
In response to the looming deployment, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has signed an executive order prohibiting federal immigration agents from utilizing city property for enforcement operations, indicating a strong local resistance to federal actions.
As protests ensued over recent immigration arrests, the involvement of armed Border Patrol agents near recognizable city landmarks has raised alarm among residents. A recent incident added to rising tensions when a woman was shot by Border Patrol agents during an arrest operation.
Across the country, similar reactions are unfolding as federal judges push back against the idea of using National Guard troops in urban centers as cities continue to strive for a balance of safety and community trust. The legal implications of these federal tactics will likely continue to unfold in the coming days.
