Federal Immigration Enforcement Expected This Week in Chicago, Sanctuary Cities

President Donald Trump's administration is preparing to intensify immigration enforcement actions in Chicago and other sanctuary cities across the United States, with White House border czar Tom Homan confirming that federal agents will "absolutely" descend on Chicago this week. Trump has framed these efforts as necessary to address what he describes as public safety threats posed by undocumented immigrants, despite sharp criticism from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, and other Democratic leaders who condemn the administration's rhetoric and tactics as autocratic and harmful to communities. Trump’s recent social media post, including an AI-generated image depicting a militarized scene over Chicago and referencing the Vietnam War film "Apocalypse Now," has drawn widespread backlash, though Trump attempted to downplay it by stating his goal is to "clean up" the city. Homan emphasized that the National Guard could be deployed as a "force multiplier," and that increased immigration enforcement in sanctuary cities is a priority, contrasting these areas with states like Florida and Texas, which cooperate fully with federal immigration authorities. Local officials maintain they have not been sufficiently informed or consulted about the planned operations, and have bolstered resources to support immigrant communities in anticipation of federal raids. The Trump administration’s actions follow its previous deployment of federal forces to Washington, D.C., which Trump touted as a success in reducing crime, promising similar outcomes in Chicago.