Trump Administration Plans National Guard Deployment to Chicago Amid Federal Immigration Enforcement Surge

The Trump administration is planning to deploy 100 National Guard troops to the Chicago area as part of a broader federal immigration enforcement and crime crackdown, a move strongly opposed by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and other local leaders. Pritzker condemned the deployment as an unconstitutional power grab and expressed concerns over the militarization of cities, highlighting negative impacts on community safety and local businesses. The increased federal presence follows recent aggressive immigration enforcement actions, including arrests by Border Patrol agents in downtown Chicago and clashes with protesters near ICE facilities. Attorney General Pam Bondi has supported a tough stance on protesters targeting immigration enforcement, while Illinois officials, including Attorney General Kwame Raoul, have signaled potential legal challenges. The deployment is part of a larger pattern of federal intervention in cities like Portland and Los Angeles, with President Trump framing it as necessary to combat crime in Democratic-led urban areas. The situation has sparked widespread criticism and fear among residents, raising constitutional and civil rights concerns.