Amid ongoing anti-immigration demonstrations, the Department of Defense has confirmed that the Texas National Guard was deployed to Illinois on Tuesday. Their presence is intended to safeguard federal officials and property.
According to Pentagon officials, around 200 members of the National Guard were mobilized in just the initial two months.
The Department of Defense stated that these forces arrived to assist with federal protection missions aimed at ensuring the safety of federal functions, personnel, and property.
In a related development, approximately 12 individuals were arrested after a series of protests occurred near the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Broadview, Illinois. The situation escalated when federal officials were reportedly assaulted and vehicles damaged.
Homeland Security Director Christie Noem announced on Saturday that more special operations teams would be sent to Illinois in response to these events.
Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, mentioned on social media that the National Guard troops were “on the scene and ready to leave,” emphasizing their role in ensuring the federal government’s enforcement of laws.
Meanwhile, Chicago’s Mayor Brandon Johnson criticized the deployment, labeling it “illegal, unconstitutional, dangerous, and wrong.” In response, he signed an executive order designating the area as an “ICE Free Zone,” prohibiting federal immigration officials from using city-owned property for enforcement purposes.
Johnson remarked at a press conference that the current administration must halt its perceived “war” against Chicagoans and the wider American populace, urging an end to actions that threaten democracy.
On the ground, a Chicago-based activist group, the Coalition on the Trump Agenda (CATA), has organized a protest for Wednesday. Their spokesman stated the group’s determination to resist what they see as racist actions by the Trump administration, emphasizing their commitment to community organization and support for those affected by ICE operations.
