Trump says he doesn’t need permission to enforce immigration law in Chicago, Gowdy asserts

(CHICAGO) President Trump’s administration is moving to expand immigration enforcement in Chicago as early as the weekend after Labor Day, with as many as 300 federal agents operating daily and detainees processed at the Broadview facility seven days a week. Federal officials are staging teams at Naval Station Great Lakes, setting the Chicago area as the next focal point in a broader push against sanctuary jurisdictions across the United States 🇺🇸.

Officials familiar with the plan say the ICE surge could last at least six weeks, mirroring recent operations in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. The White House has also floated sending National Guard troops, though a recent California court ruling finding Guard members illegally performed law enforcement duties there is expected to shape how any Guard presence would be used here.

Local officials are bracing for a tense month. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson condemned the federal plan, warning residents to keep protests peaceful and stressing that city police will not help ICE. Police in Waukegan and North Chicago have said they will not engage with Department of Homeland Security activity, aligning with Illinois sanctuary policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

The administration argues the surge is about safety. President Trump has framed the move as a crime-fighting effort, saying, “We are going to make our streets and cities safe again.” ICE officials confirm the coming operations but say that, unlike Los Angeles, they are not coordinating directly with the National Guard in Chicago at this time. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the timing and scope appear designed to force compliance in Democratic-led cities while showing a hard line before the 2026 midterm elections.

Policy and operational timeline

The planned expansion is expected to begin September 6–7, 2025, with daily teams working out of Naval Station Great Lakes and Broadview serving as the main processing hub. Officials expect high arrest numbers similar to Boston and Los Angeles; in Boston, arrests rose from 300 in January to 1,500 in May 2025 as surges intensified.

Key elements taking shape include:
– Operational base: Naval Station Great Lakes for daily coordination.
– Processing: Broadview facility operating seven days a week for at least six weeks.
– Local non-cooperation: Clear separation between ICE and local police functions under state and city policy.
– Guard posture: President Trump has vowed to deploy the National Guard, but the recent California ruling raises legal risk if troops engage in policing.

Chicago’s sanctuary rules limit how local police assist federal immigration enforcement, which can slow operations and heighten tensions between agencies. Still, federal authorities can conduct arrests without local endorsement. Trey Gowdy, a former federal prosecutor and congressman, has argued the administration does not need local permission to enforce federal law—an argument that underscores the looming clash of authorities even as the Guard’s role faces legal limits.

Community impact and preparations

Advocacy groups expect more home and workplace arrests, sparking fear of family separations and long detentions. The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights is coordinating rapid-response networks, legal observers, and “know your rights” trainings. Organizers are preparing protest logistics and legal support stations near courthouses and the Broadview facility as the surge begins.

Universities are also engaged. The University of Illinois at Chicago’s Office of International Services has stepped in to advise international students and scholars, urging them to keep documents current and seek help if contacted by ICE. Campus advisors recommend students avoid rumors, travel with proper identification, and contact the office immediately if they face an enforcement action. While international students are not the main target of these operations, anxiety is high across campuses, laboratories, and medical centers that rely on foreign talent.

The legal picture is fluid. The California decision that found National Guard troops crossed a line into law enforcement in Los Angeles may limit how the administration deploys Guard units in Illinois and beyond. If confrontations escalate or protests turn violent, the White House could attempt to broaden federal involvement; in that scenario expect rapid court challenges testing:

1. The Guard’s role in domestic enforcement.
2. Federal authority in cities with sanctuary policies.
3. The boundaries of state resistance to federal immigration operations.

Politically, the Chicago surge fits a pattern. The administration first tested the strategy in Boston, then scaled it to Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., before turning to Illinois—a state with long-standing laws that restrict local cooperation with ICE. After Chicago, Boston is expected to face another surge, with more cities likely on deck.

Practical steps for families, employers, and students

For families and employers, the next several weeks will be stressful. Community hotlines are preparing for a spike in calls. Small businesses that employ foreign workers are reviewing records and seeking counsel on what to do if officers arrive. Parents are drafting safety plans for children in case a breadwinner is detained. Faith leaders are opening doors to host legal clinics and comfort worried congregants.

To reduce risk during the surge:
– Keep any prior court documents, ID, and attorney contact information in one folder.
– Do not open the door unless officers present a judicial warrant with a judge’s signature.
– Ask for an interpreter if needed, and remain silent if unsure what to say.
– Call an attorney or a trusted legal aid group right away.
– International students and scholars should keep status documents current and reach out to campus advisors immediately after any ICE contact.

ICE will carry out both targeted arrests and, potentially, broader operations. Because local police are not assisting, communication gaps are likely. That can lead to confusion during stops or raids, especially in mixed-status households. Advocates warn that aggressive tactics may push witnesses and victims away from reporting crimes, undermining community trust that local officials have spent years trying to build.

Administration allies counter that the surge is focused on people with criminal records and recent final orders of removal. Critics say past operations have swept up parents, long-time residents, and those with minor infractions. Both sides agree arrests will rise, even if the exact numbers remain uncertain until operations begin.

Where to get official information and what to watch

Residents, employers, and students seeking official updates on enforcement and detention practices in the region can consult ICE’s Chicago-area resources at the agency’s contact page for Enforcement and Removal Operations: ICE ERO – Chicago Field Office. The page includes contact details that may help families locate detained relatives and check processing locations.

Whether the National Guard appears on Chicago streets will likely hinge on legal calculations and public reaction in the first days of the surge. For now, ICE says it is not coordinating directly with the Guard in Chicago, even as President Trump keeps that option in reserve. If the city sees widespread protests, the administration could cite disorder to justify more federal muscle; if demonstrations stay peaceful, the legal case for military-style involvement gets weaker.

In the coming weeks, watch three pressure points:
– The scale of arrests at Broadview.
– Any move to bring in National Guard units.
– Court filings in Illinois and other circuits testing the reach of federal power in sanctuary cities.

For Chicago’s immigrant families—and the schools, clinics, and workplaces around them—the stakes are personal, immediate, and growing.

Key takeaway: Expect intensified enforcement beginning the weekend after Labor Day, with broad operational, legal, and community consequences.