The Trump administration is ramping up for an immigration crackdown in Chicago, with a naval base possibly serving as a command center for the entire operation.
The Naval Station Great Lakes, located just outside of Chicago, is normally used for training recruits.
A spokesman for the base said they’ve been approached by the Department of Homeland Security about assisting with upcoming immigration enforcement operations in the city.
The New York Times reviewed a request from the department. The report says the Trump administration plans to ramp up immigration enforcement in Chicago—calling for a 30-day operation at the naval base, featuring 250 people, parking for 140 vehicles, storage space for medical supplies, bathrooms, and laundry, and rubber bullets and tear gas
“I don’t know why they would need rubber bullets and tear gas, Gov. JB Pritzker said. “They want to inflame something, that’s what they want
“I mean all these sanctuary cities that refuse to work with I.C.E., where we know public safety threats are being released every day into this country,” White House Border Czar Tom Homan said.
Pritzker said his office has not heard directly from the White House about increased immigration enforcement.
“We now have a federal government, a president hunting them down and disappearing them off the streets,” he said.
The upcoming I.C.E. activity could begin as soon as next week in Chicago, according to internal documents obtained by the New York Times.
I.C.E. carried out similar operations earlier this year. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has repeated his threats to send federal troops into Chicago to combat crime, despite violent crime dropping in the city.
(sot) gov. pritzker
“It’s un-American if you ask me,” Pritzker said. “Invading a city with troops, a U.S. president invading an American city,” he said.
A Naval Station Great Lakes spokesman said that while they received a request to help homeland security with logistical needs, they have not been asked to support the National Guard.