Troops on the Ground: National Guard Deployed to Chicago Amid Immigration Tensions

Tue Oct 21 2025 00:52:22 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Hundreds of National Guard troops from Texas have been dispatched to Chicago as tensions rise over immigration policies and local protests. Chicago officials express concerns about legal implications.

In a significant move, hundreds of National Guard troops have arrived in Chicago to assist in enforcing immigration policies, following President Trump's claims of the city being a 'war zone.' The deployment has sparked local opposition, with Governor JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson challenging the legality of federal intervention in state affairs. As protests continue over immigration enforcement, the situation remains tense, raising questions about the role of the National Guard in domestic issues.

Hundreds of National Guard troops from Texas have arrived at an army training centre outside Chicago to support US President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown.

Trump has branded Chicago a 'war zone', following recent protests against federal immigration officials in the third-largest US city.

The deployment comes amid opposition from local officials. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has accused the Trump administration of an 'authoritarian march' and said the state would 'use every lever at our disposal to stop this power grab'.

Sources told CBS News that some troops could begin their assignments as early as Wednesday.

Temporary living quarters have been set up on the Army Reserve Training Center about 50 miles (80km) south-west of Chicago, and fencing was erected around the facility.

Local officials have indicated they have received few details on the troop assignments, as Trump argues the use of the troops is necessary to quell violence in Democratic-controlled cities.

National Guard troops have limited power; their role focuses on protecting federal officers and property rather than enforcing the law. Trump has previously sent guard members into other cities like Los Angeles and Washington, DC.

Chicago has seen an uptick in protests over immigration enforcement, especially outside US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities. The legal implications of these deployments remain under scrutiny, as a federal judge temporarily barred troops from deploying to Portland.

A hearing is set to take place regarding the lawsuit filed by Chicago and Illinois aiming to prevent the troops from federal control. Mayor Brandon Johnson has called the actions 'illegal, unconstitutional, and dangerous'.