Texas State Guard Deploys to Chicago Amid Immigration Enforcement Surge

In a significant increase in federal immigration enforcement, around 400 members of the Texas State Guard arrived at military facilities near Chicago on Tuesday. Their mission focuses on assisting ICE and border patrol in operations against fugitives tied to cartels and violent undocumented immigrants.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has sanctioned the federal government’s deployment of the National Guard, which previously patrolled the southern borders amid the ongoing issues of the Biden administration’s border crisis. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker raised concerns over this deployment. He characterized the situation as “Trump’s Invasion” on social media, expressing frustration that it began with federal agents and now includes troops from Texas—actions not aligned with Illinois’ wishes.

In response, Abbott stated, “Please either fully implement protections for federal employees or let Texas guards do their job.” He emphasized the unmatched training and dedication of the Texas National Guard, who are currently helping to strengthen border security at Texas’s border with Mexico.

Members of the Texas National Guard are stationed at the Army Reserve Training Center on the outskirts of Chicago, where they were welcomed by Major General Niabe Knell, the deputy commander of the Northern U.S. Army.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson anticipates the forces’ presence on his city’s streets, calling the deployment “illegal and unconstitutional.” He voiced that the situation is “dangerous” and “wrong.”

As of now, the exact scope of the Texas National Guard’s mission in Chicago remains unclear. However, due to the rising violence against ICE agents and border patrol officers, the demand for additional security appears evident.