Hundreds of National Guard troops from Texas have been deployed to an Army training center located outside Chicago as part of a federal immigration enforcement initiative led by President Trump. This move follows recent protests in Chicago, which Trump has referred to as a “war zone” due to ongoing tensions surrounding immigration policies.
The deployment has faced opposition from local officials, including Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who described the actions of the Trump administration as an “authoritarian march” and vowed to counter what he sees as an overreach of federal power. Reports indicate that some of the National Guard troops could begin their assignments imminently, with trailers set up as temporary housing and fencing erected around the training facility.
Local authorities have expressed concerns about insufficient information regarding the specific roles and assignments of the troops. While Trump has claimed that the presence of National Guard personnel will help reduce violence and support enforcement actions, it is important to note that their powers are limited: they do not have authority to enforce laws or carry out arrests but are tasked with protecting federal officials and properties.
This deployment is part of a wider strategy that has already seen Guard members sent to cities such as Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., while other deployments to Portland have faced legal challenges. In Chicago, protests against immigration enforcement, particularly near U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities, have intensified.
A lawsuit filed by Illinois and Chicago to prevent the federalization of National Guard troops is set for a hearing. Mayor Brandon Johnson has criticized the deployment, labeling it as illegal and unconstitutional. In response to growing tension, he has signed an executive order prohibiting ICE operations on city-owned property. The legal ramifications of these actions are under scrutiny, particularly regarding the traditional role of state governors in deploying the National Guard. Trump’s potential invocation of the Insurrection Act has also raised questions about military involvement in domestic law enforcement.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp98g4jdyzvo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss