Mayor Brandon Johnson of Chicago has enacted an order outlining the city’s approach to potential immigration enforcement actions following threats from the Trump administration. The order instructs city agencies on how to respond to any federal immigration measures and emphasizes the need for the city to resist what Johnson describes as a “military occupation.”
The Trump administration, which has deployed approximately 2,000 troops to Washington, D.C., has suggested extending this military presence to Chicago, citing concerns over crime in the city. Reports indicate that federal immigration agents may also increase their presence in Chicago as part of this initiative.
In response, the Chicago mayor’s order demands that the federal government refrain from deploying armed forces in the city and reiterates existing city policies, such as the requirement for law enforcement officers to wear body cameras and display identifying information. There is also a ban on masks for law enforcement personnel, amidst criticism of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers for operating without proper identification in other cities.
Johnson has committed to assisting residents in understanding their rights regarding immigration enforcement and has ruled out collaboration with federal agents on joint patrols. It is estimated that over 20% of Chicago’s population consists of immigrants, with a significant portion hailing from Latin America, although the specific number of undocumented residents remains unclear.
Trump has previously characterized Chicago as “a killing field,” linking crime levels to a broader national emergency. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has criticized Trump’s threats to deploy the National Guard as an abuse of power, arguing that they serve to politicize security issues rather than effectively address crime. Meanwhile, a White House spokesperson has dismissed Johnson’s order as a “publicity stunt,” suggesting that Chicago officials should focus on improving local crime conditions instead.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czr6d5jm50do?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss