Chicago Faces Potential Military Involvement in Immigration Operations
This week, the Trump administration reached out to a military base near Chicago, hinting at a potential crackdown on immigration in the city. The Department of Homeland Security requested assistance from Naval Station Great Lakes for resources related to their operations.
This development comes shortly after the deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., targeting issues like crime, immigration, and homelessness. While no plans have been formally laid out for Chicago, the request adds to the speculation.
Matt Mogle, a spokesperson for the base, mentioned that no official requests for troop mobilization have been made. The Illinois National Guard has also stated they have not received any alerts regarding a potential deployment in the city.
Local leaders, including Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor JB Pritzker, are expressing their disapproval of military involvement. They argue that crime has significantly decreased in Chicago and insist there is no need for military support. They even plan to file a lawsuit against these potential actions.
Former President Barack Obama, himself a Chicago native, recently voiced his concerns on social media. He warned that using military forces domestically could endanger basic liberties for Americans across the board.
Governor Pritzker has highlighted that violent crime is indeed down in Chicago, with significant declines noted over recent years. A report showed that murders dropped by over 22% in the first half of this year compared to last year. While Chicago still faced 573 homicides in 2024, making it the highest rate in the U.S., many areas in the city are seeing improvements.
Moreover, Chicago has been a sanctuary city for years and has been a focal point for the Trump administration’s immigration policies since his second inauguration. This history has fueled ongoing tensions between local and federal authorities.
According to recent data from the Rochester Institute of Technology, Chicago had a homicide rate of 21.7 per 100,000 residents in 2024, which, while high, ranks lower than several other U.S. cities including St. Louis and New Orleans.
With about 10,000 members of the Illinois Army National Guard active in the state, any federal mobilization would typically require state approval. Local military leaders have emphasized that armories could only be used if the governor consents.
The situation in Chicago is evolving, and how local communities respond to potential military actions will be key in shaping the future of both crime management and immigration policies in the area.
For further information on these developments, visit AP News.
Source link
Chicago, Donald Trump, Barack Obama, Immigration, United States government, Military and defense, General news, Illinois, IL State Wire, United States, Brandon Johnson, Washington news, Violence, Matt Mogle, Government and politics, U.S. Democratic Party, U.S. news, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Politics, U.S. News
