Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order on Saturday outlining the city’s response to a possible federal immigration crackdown led by President Donald Trump.
The order directs city agencies and law enforcement to resist cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, citing “escalating threats from the federal government.” The Trump administration is reportedly preparing a major immigration operation in Chicago, potentially deploying federal agents and National Guard units in the coming days.
Newsweek has reached out via email to Johnson’s office and to the White House on Saturday for comment.
Why It Matters
The move signals a direct challenge to the Trump administration‘s expanding immigration enforcement strategy, which has already drawn criticism for its use of federal forces in cities like Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
In a Truth Social post earlier this week, Trump wrote: “A really DEADLY weekend in Chicago. 6 DEAD, 27 HURT IN CRIME SPREES ALL OVER THE CITY. Panic stricken Governor Pritzker says that crime is under control, when in fact it is just the opposite. He is an incompetent Governor who should call me for HELP. Mayor Johnson is no better. Make Chicago Great Again!”
On Monday, Johnson’s office released new year-to-date crime statistics that showed homicides are down 32.3 percent, and overall violent crime is down 21.6 percent.
Johnson’s order reinforces Chicago’s status as a sanctuary city and raises legal and constitutional questions about the federal government’s authority to deploy military personnel in domestic law enforcement roles. The clash could set a precedent for how Democratic-led cities respond to federal intervention.
What To Know
Johnson’s executive order prohibits Chicago police from participating in joint patrols, arrest operations, or any civil immigration enforcement activities with federal agents, CNN reported Saturday. The directive aims to preserve local autonomy and protect immigrant communities from what the mayor described as unconstitutional actions.
Johnson’s order instructs federal officers operating in Chicago to wear body cameras, refrain from wearing masks, and clearly identify themselves by name and badge number. The city’s own police force will be required to wear visible identification at all times during operations.
City departments are instructed to pursue all available legal and legislative avenues to counter federal actions that may infringe on the rights of Chicago residents. This includes preparing for potential court challenges and coordinating with state officials to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
The order explicitly calls on Trump to “stand down” from deploying military forces to the city of Chicago, per CNN. While the administration has not confirmed such plans, officials have signaled interest in using National Guard units to support immigration enforcement, prompting backlash from legal experts and civil rights advocates.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently asked Naval Station Great Lakes, a military base located north of Chicago, for support in potential immigration crackdowns. Matt Mogle, spokesperson for the base, said on Wednesday, that the agency requested “limited support in the form of facilities, infrastructure, and other logistical needs to support DHS operations.”
Mogle added that no decisions have been made on DHS’s request regarding Naval Station Great Lakes, and that the base hasn’t received an official request to support a National Guard deployment.
Trump, meanwhile, recently signed an executive order establishing “specialized units” within the National Guard to address urban crime, though its implementation remains unclear. The administration’s approach in Chicago is expected to differ from previous crackdowns, resembling the June deployment of troops in Los Angeles during immigration protests.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker condemned the federal plans, accusing the administration of attempting to “militarize our cities and end elections.” The mayor’s reported order is part of a broader resistance movement among Democratic leaders who argue that federal intervention undermines local governance and civil liberties.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on Thursday: “Governor Pritzker had 6 murders in Chicago this weekend. 20 people were shot. But he doesn’t want to ask me for help. Can this be possible? The people are desperate for me to STOP THE CRIME, something the Democrats aren’t capable of doing. STAY TUNED!!!”
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said before signing the executive order, per CNN: “We may see militarized immigration enforcement. We may also see National Guard troops. We may even see active duty military and armed vehicles in our streets. We have not called for this. Our people have not asked for this, but nevertheless, we find ourselves having to respond to this.”
Illinois Democratic Governor JB Pritzker in a press conference this week: “If this was really about fighting crime and making the streets safe, what possible justification could the White House have for planning such an exceptional action without any conversations or consultations with the governor, the mayor, or the police?”
Vice President JD Vance said on Thursday in LaCrosse, Wisconsin: “We’re not too far from Chicago. Chicago has had a lot of crime problems. Why is it that you have mayors and governors who are angrier about Donald Trump offering to help them than they are about the fact that their own residents are being carjacked and murdered in the streets? It doesn’t make an ounce of sense.”
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