The Chicago area is preparing for significant operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has anticipated could start on Friday.
According to local reports, it has been suggested that up to 300 ICE officers are expected to gather at the Naval Station Great Lakes, with operations potentially commencing as early as Friday or Saturday.
This anticipated federal move coincides with Chicago gearing up for Mexican Independence Day celebrations next week, including the now-cancelled “El Grito Chicago” event, as reported by local affiliate WGN.
Pritzker encourages Chicago residents to proceed with celebrations and protests if possible, but he cautions them not to “fall into their trap” when facing federal forces.
“Part of their insidious plan is to start with ICE, create chaos on the streets, and use that as justification to claim there’s a need for military troops on the ground to protect ICE,” Pritzker said.
As of Friday morning, there was no sign that the National Guard had been officially deployed to the city, but Pritzker has promised legal action if any troops enter Chicago.
Illinois leaders head to Naval Station Great Lakes
Illinois Rep. Brad Schneider, Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth were set to hold an event Friday afternoon at the Naval Station Great Lakes, which is expected to house hundreds of federal agents involved in the operations. will stream the event live from this story when it begins.
Durbin has called Trump’s efforts to use the Naval base “unhelpful and illegal.”
An existing ICE detention center in Broadview, Illinois, is set to become the central processing hub and will be running around the clock for the next 45 days.
Immigration advocates said the facility which is the site of frequent protests has no beds, no showers and no cafeteria. The complaints led four Democratic members of Illinois’ congressional delegation to attempt an unscheduled visit to the site in June.
Chicago unveils immigrant resources ahead of ICE operations
Chicago’s Office of Immigrant, Migrant and Refugee Rights updated its website with step-by-step guidance on how immigrants can protect themselves, including user-friendly content explaining their rights.
The website also provides an “essential checklist for new arrivals,” with links to resources to assist in securing food and shelter, obtaining proper government identification, enrolling children in school, riding public transportation and seeking help from local community centers, among other tasks.
‘s Anna Kutz, partner The Hill and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
