Former President Donald Trump is sending Texas National Guard troops to Chicago in response to escalating violence against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. This decision comes after a series of attacks on federal immigration authorities, including a recent incident where officers were surrounded and attacked by multiple vehicles in Broadview, Illinois.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced the deployment on social media, criticizing it as an “invasion” by the Trump administration. In response, the state has filed a lawsuit to block the troop deployment, arguing that it is unlawful and unconstitutional. Pritzker expressed his frustration, stating that no federal officials had contacted him to discuss the situation before the decision was made.
The War Department plans to send approximately 400 Texas National Guard members to Chicago and Portland to help restore order. The move follows a violent confrontation where ICE agents were reportedly rammed by vehicles, forcing them to fire warning shots at an armed individual involved in the attack. The suspect, identified as Marimar Martinez, had previously made threatening posts online against ICE agents.
Governor Pritzker criticized the lack of coordination from the federal government, emphasizing that the deployment of troops from another state should not happen without the state’s consent. He called on Texas Governor Greg Abbott to halt the deployment, stating that military troops should not be used for political purposes.
In contrast, Governor Abbott defended the decision, stating that he fully supports the deployment to protect federal officials. He argued that the Texas National Guard is well-trained and capable of ensuring safety in the area.
This situation has sparked protests from anti-ICE activists, who have gathered outside ICE facilities in Broadview, attempting to block agents’ access. Tensions are high as state and local police respond to these demonstrations, and snipers have even been stationed on rooftops to monitor the protests.
The deployment of Texas National Guard troops is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration called "Operation Midway Blitz," aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration in sanctuary states. This operation has already led to over 1,000 arrests since its launch.
As the situation unfolds, both state and federal officials are at odds over the best approach to handle the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in Illinois.
