(CHICAGO) Preparations for a major immigration enforcement surge are accelerating across the city as federal, state, and local officials brace for a month-long operation that could begin next week. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, under the Department of Homeland Security, has formally requested access to the Naval Station Great Lakes—about 40 miles north of Chicago—as a staging and operations hub from September 2 through September 30, 2025. The proposed use of the base, coupled with the possible involvement of National Guard units pending final approval, signals a large-scale push that city leaders say will test Chicago’s policies, people, and preparedness.
The campaign is part of a broader national plan under President Trump to launch what the administration calls the “largest deportation operation” in United States 🇺🇸 history, with a stated goal of removing 1 million people per year. Chicago is one of five major Democrat-led cities targeted for heightened enforcement, with a specific focus on workplace raids and downtown operations. Federal officials say they aim to prioritize individuals with criminal convictions. But local leaders and advocates warn that operational details point to a much wider sweep that will likely affect long-settled families, workers, and students with no criminal record.
Tom Homan, President Trump’s border policy lead, confirmed that discussions about the naval base are ongoing, with planning still in motion as of August 28. DHS Secretary Noem emphasized an emphasis on “the worst of the worst,” though the scope described by officials suggests expansive citywide activity. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has urged residents to “resist” federal actions, calling the surge an attack on the city’s values and democracy. Cristina Pacione-Zayas, the mayor’s chief of staff, told community partners that tactical teams would target workplaces and that the city should prepare for a law enforcement and military presence similar to operations seen in Los Angeles earlier this summer.
Chicago Police Department leaders say they are coordinating and “will be ready” if ICE strike teams or National Guard units deploy. City agencies have developed contingency plans for traffic, street closures, and public safety management if mass arrests, blocks-long motorcades, or protest flashpoints start to unfold downtown or in industrial corridors where worksite raids are expected.
Federal Planning and Local Pushback
At the center of the plan is the proposed use of Naval Station Great Lakes as a command-and-logistics base. The choice of a military facility underscores the scale and coordination of the operation, according to people briefed on planning.
Federal logistics could include:
– Armored vehicles
– Tactical gear
– Large transport buses
These are the same tools used in recent large-city initiatives that drew intense protests and, at times, tense stand-offs with demonstrators.
Mayor Johnson and members of the city council have moved quickly to channel public concern into concrete support for residents who may be at risk. City departments are syncing with legal and community organizations to:
– Conduct “Know Your Rights” sessions
– Set up rapid-response channels
– Coordinate pro bono legal representation
Several neighborhood groups report demand for family preparedness planning, including help with childcare contingencies and document safekeeping.
Public pressure is building. Organizers recorded more than 400 pro-migration demonstrations across Chicago in July, and a major “No Kings” march is scheduled for Saturday, August 30, 2025, at Daley Plaza. Police are preparing for large crowds. Organizers say they expect thousands of attendees, including legal observers and volunteer medics.
Enforcement Trends and Data
Data points to a sharp rise in enforcement activity heading into the fall:
- In Chicago, ICE arrested three times as many immigrants convicted of crimes during the first 150 days of President Trump’s second term compared to the final 150 days of the previous administration.
- Nationwide, several states have seen arrest increases of 200–400% over 2024 baselines.
- Detention figures: as of July 27, 71.1% of the 56,945 people in ICE detention had no criminal conviction.
- Chicago’s office leads the country in ankle monitor use, with 3,259 people tracked as of late July.
- Use of ICE’s “Alternatives-to-Detention” program has declined.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, those figures reflect a strategy that shifts more people into electronic tracking while increasing arrests across a wider set of communities, drawing on public data from academic monitoring projects.
Worksite and Downtown Enforcement Concerns
Workplace enforcement is expected to be a central feature of the Chicago surge. Employers in the following sectors could see unannounced visits:
– Manufacturing
– Food processing
– Construction
– Warehousing
– Hospitality
Downtown commercial corridors—especially around transit hubs and large office complexes—are cited as possible targets for mobile teams. Civil liberties groups and labor advocates warn that such operations risk:
– “Sweeps” that disrupt businesses
– Fear among workers regardless of status
– Ripple effects on local economies
Law enforcement specialists caution that staging operations from a military base, even for civilian enforcement, can lead to a hardened posture that raises the chance of confrontation. They point to earlier actions in Los Angeles where heavy gear and mass movement of personnel contributed to chaotic scenes during arrests and protests.
Chicago’s complex downtown grid, freight corridors, and dense neighborhoods could pose added challenges for both federal teams and local responders.
Community Risks, Timeline, and What Comes Next
If final approvals arrive this week, personnel and equipment could begin moving into Naval Station Great Lakes within days. City and community leaders expect operations to roll out in phases, with early actions aimed at worksites that federal planners have flagged.
Anticipated sequence (based on briefings to city partners):
1. Staging at Naval Station Great Lakes from September 2–30, 2025, with potential National Guard support if authorized.
2. Early September worksite operations led by tactical teams.
3. Follow-up downtown deployments and possible night-time movements to limit public disruption.
4. Real-time coordination with Chicago police for traffic control and incident response, especially if protests or counter-protests swell near enforcement sites.
5. Expanded legal hotlines and rapid-response teams to assist families, including emergency intake at community centers.
Federal officials describe the push as a public safety mission to remove people with criminal records and enforce immigration law. Local leaders and immigrant advocates counter with data showing the majority in ICE custody do not have criminal convictions, and point to the increased use of ankle monitors as evidence of a broader enforcement net.
They warn of:
– Potential civil rights violations if teams use aggressive tactics in homes or workplaces
– Destabilization of neighborhoods with many mixed-status families
Sanctuary Policies, Employer Risks, and Local Services
Chicago’s sanctuary policies will again be tested. Historically, the city has sought to limit cooperation with federal immigration actions that go beyond criminal matters. That stance does not prevent federal arrests, but it shapes how local services and first responders interact with residents and federal teams.
Practical impacts on employers:
– Disrupted shifts and halted production
– Immediate staffing shortages
– Follow-up documentation requests (I-9 audits are separate federal processes)
Business groups urge clear communication from authorities to avoid unnecessary disruption. Labor advocates remind workers—citizen and noncitizen alike—about wage and safety protections that apply regardless of immigration status during enforcement actions.
For residents seeking official information about ICE’s mission and structure, see the agency’s overview at ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations. City officials say they will push updates through local media and community partners rather than centralized alerts to avoid confusing or duplicative messages.
Preparedness, Legal Response, and Community Services
The decision on the use of the base is expected imminently. If the operation proceeds as planned, Chicago could see weeks of heightened activity—including arrests, court hearings, and releases—along with ongoing protests.
Local preparations include:
– Legal aid organizations gearing up for bond requests and custody challenges
– Community clinics and schools preparing for emotional and practical needs of children with detained parents
– Neighborhood groups organizing family planning support and document protection
Law enforcement experts emphasize:
– Careful de-escalation
– Clear identification of officers
– Well-marked perimeters to keep bystanders safe
These are lessons drawn from earlier deployments in other cities. If National Guard units are approved, coordination protocols with civilian agencies will be even more important.
How far and how fast the surge extends may depend on legal challenges and public response. Court filings could limit certain tactics or detentions; large protests could shift where and when teams move.
For now, the signal is clear: with a potential command center at Naval Station Great Lakes and an explicit federal goal to step up arrests, Chicago is bracing for a September unlike any in recent memory. City hall, police leadership, business owners, and immigrant families are preparing in parallel, aware that decisions made in the next few days will shape the city’s streets and workplaces throughout the month.
