Illinois took legal action on Monday to block President Donald Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago amid heightened immigration enforcement efforts in the city. The move came after a judge in Oregon halted the deployment in Portland.
The Trump administration has characterized Chicago and Portland as chaotic and in need of intervention due to the crackdown on illegal immigration. Officials in Illinois and Oregon argue that military involvement is unnecessary and only serves to worsen the situation.
The lawsuit filed by Illinois claims that the deployment is both “unlawful and dangerous.” While a federal judge has given the administration two days to respond to the lawsuit, the deployment has not been immediately blocked.
Governor J.B. Pritzker of Illinois criticized the federalization and deployment of 300 state guard troops to Chicago, alongside 400 others from Texas, labeling it as “Trump’s invasion.” Trump hinted at invoking the Insurrection Act if needed to deploy active-duty military without governor approval in states facing unrest.
In response to the escalating tensions, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson prohibited federal immigration agents from using city-owned properties for enforcement activities. The deployment of armed Border Patrol agents in Chicago has raised concerns among residents, especially in immigrant-heavy and predominantly Latino areas.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Illinois filed a lawsuit against Trump, ICE, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), accusing them of using excessive force against peaceful protesters and journalists. The DHS defended its actions, stating that the use of force was necessary to maintain order.
In Oregon, U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut issued a temporary restraining order to block the deployment of guard troops from neighboring states after the president attempted to circumvent her initial ruling. The White House plans to appeal the decision, asserting the president’s legal authority to deploy troops in the affected cities.
Despite Trump’s claims of widespread unrest, data shows a decline in violent crime in Portland and other cities. The administration’s deployment of troops to various cities has faced legal challenges, with a federal judge previously ruling against the deployment of guard troops to Los Angeles.
The ongoing clashes between federal authorities and protesters in Chicago and Portland have sparked a heated debate over the use of military forces in domestic law enforcement operations.