Illinois Leaders Challenge Trump's Deployment of National Guard to Chicago

Fri Oct 10 2025 22:27:55 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a contentious legal battle, Illinois officials are suing to prevent President Trump's administration from deploying National Guard troops in Chicago amid an aggressive immigration enforcement campaign. With recent deployments leading to escalating tensions, local leaders argue that military intervention exacerbates the situation instead of easing it.

Illinois leaders have filed a lawsuit against President Trump's plan to send National Guard troops to Chicago, arguing that the action is unlawful and poses dangers to residents. With the recent escalation of federal immigration enforcement across cities, local leaders express concerns over military presence and the potential for heightened conflict, particularly given previous instances of violence and unrest. In light of a recent federal court ruling against similar actions in Portland, the outcome of this legal challenge remains highly anticipated.

CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois officials took legal action on Monday, challenging President Donald Trump's directive to send National Guard troops to Chicago amid heightened immigration enforcement operations in the city. This escalation reflects ongoing tensions between Democratic-led states and the Republican administration.

The suit emerged hours after a federal judge blocked the deployment of National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, underscoring the contentious nature of federal military intervention in state matters. The state lawsuit claims that Trump's moves amount to a war on Chicago and are both unlawful and dangerous.

Governor JB Pritzker denounced the deployment, labeling it as “Trump’s invasion,” and appealed to Texas Governor Greg Abbott to halt the plans. Since the crackdown began, there has been widespread concern among Chicago residents regarding the military presence and its potential impact on community safety.

Recent immigration enforcement activities led to Border Patrol agents making arrests near iconic Chicago landmarks, generating protests across immigrant-heavy neighborhoods. Critics argue that the military's involvement will only inflame tensions further.

In response, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order preventing federal immigration agents from using city-owned properties for enforcement activities, such as staging areas for arrests.

As tensions rise, various stakeholders await the outcome of Illinois' legal challenge, especially as federal courts continue to grapple with the legality of military deployments in urban areas.

With this backdrop of legal and social strife, both residents and government officials are left questioning the efficacy and legality of deploying military forces to enforce immigration policies in metropolitan areas.