Noem Confirms Planned ICE Expansion in Chicago, Major Cities

The Trump administration plans to expand Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Chicago and other major cities, as confirmed by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Noem stated that while ICE operations are already ongoing in Chicago and Illinois, additional resources will be deployed to strengthen enforcement efforts. When asked about potential National Guard involvement, Noem deferred to President Trump, who has threatened to send federal forces to cities with high crime rates, including Chicago. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson condemned the planned federal intervention, calling the deployment of troops "un-American" and accusing the administration of planning the action secretly without coordinating with local officials. Johnson has issued an executive order for the city’s legal team to explore options to oppose any federal law enforcement and National Guard presence. This escalation follows recent deployments of federal law enforcement and National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., to assist with crime reduction efforts.