CHICAGO — Demonstrations over federal immigration enforcement have spread to Chicago, joining a national wave of protests in response to President Donald Trump’s deployment of over 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to target ICE-related unrest in Los Angeles.
According to the Washington Post, the wave of protests has now touched Atlanta, New York, San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Chicago, signaling escalating tension across the country.
“California may be first,” said California Governor Gavin Newsom, “but it clearly will not end here. Other states are next. Democracy is next.”
Newsom accused Trump of launching the “first phase of an overall decay in citizens’ rights” by mobilizing military forces for law enforcement.
Trump Issues Warning To Other Cities Amid Protests
Trump defended the federal deployment as necessary to maintain control and warned that similar demonstrations in other cities would not be tolerated. His statement came after several nights of protests outside U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) offices in California turned confrontational.
“This is a show of force that sends a message: lawlessness will not be accepted,” Trump said Tuesday evening.
In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott announced plans to deploy National Guard units to respond to ongoing protests in Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin.
Chicago Protesters Rally Against ICE Actions, Detention Tactics
In Chicago, groups gathered Wednesday outside ICE’s Chicago field office and in neighborhoods with large immigrant populations, decrying what they say are “militarized tactics” and constitutional overreach. Some carried signs reading “No Troops On Our Streets” and “We Are Not The Enemy.”
Local immigration rights organizations say they expect protests to grow ahead of the weekend.
“This is not just about L.A. This is about how power is being used across America — and Chicago will not stay silent,” said Maria Ramos, a volunteer with Chicago Immigrant Solidarity Network.
Legal Fight And Federal Pushback Loom
A federal judge has scheduled a hearing to evaluate the legality of Trump’s use of military troops in civilian immigration enforcement, citing potential conflicts with the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts military involvement in domestic law enforcement.
Meanwhile, immigration activists have filed emergency motions in multiple states to halt further deployment.
Do you believe deploying troops for immigration enforcement is justified — or dangerous? Join the conversation now on ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
