The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has made a significant request to the Pentagon to accommodate approximately 250 federal agents and 140 vehicles at a military base in Illinois. This request, outlined in an internal government memo obtained by CBS News, comes in anticipation of an expected surge in immigration roundups in the Chicago area.
According to the memo, a senior official from Homeland Security indicated that the Naval Station Great Lakes, recognized as the largest military base in Illinois and the Navy's primary training station, will serve as a staging ground for overseeing removal operations targeting immigrants suspected of being in the U.S. illegally. The memo highlights the base's strategic infrastructure and its proximity to major highways, making it an ideal location for these operations.
Furthermore, the request specified that portions of the naval station would function as a command post and a tactical operations center for Homeland Security agents. It also called for storage facilities for medical supplies and less-lethal munitions, indicating a significant ramp-up in preparedness for these operations.
The formal request was submitted last week, with reports stating that Homeland Security personnel and equipment began arriving at the naval station earlier this week. Located about 50 miles north of Chicago on Lake Michigan, the naval station is positioned to play a crucial role in the expected immigration enforcement actions.
Reports from CBS News and other outlets suggest that the Trump administration has been making internal preparations for a substantial immigration enforcement campaign in the Chicago area, similar to operations that sparked widespread protests in Southern California earlier this year. Officials have indicated that these operations could commence as soon as Friday and may last for up to 30 days, suggesting a prolonged immigration crackdown in the Chicago region.
While the exact locations within Chicago for the immigration sweeps remain unclear, the campaign is anticipated to be led by agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Notably, CBP played a significant role in earlier immigration roundups in Los Angeles, where agents were deployed to various sites, including Home Depot parking lots and workplaces.
In a statement to CBS News, DHS emphasized its commitment to targeting "criminal illegal aliens" in cities such as Chicago and Boston, asserting that under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Noem, no area serves as a safe haven for those unlawfully residing in the U.S. The department's stance is clear: if individuals enter the country illegally and violate laws, they will be apprehended, deported, and prohibited from returning.
The Department of Defense has not yet commented on DHS's use of the Great Lakes naval station. Historically, the military's involvement in supporting immigration enforcement has been limited, with both Democratic and Republican administrations deploying troops to the U.S.-Mexico border to assist Border Patrol agents. However, the Trump administration has taken unprecedented steps in employing the military for mass deportation efforts. This includes deploying thousands of troops to the southern border, utilizing military aircraft for deportations, and tasking National Guard units with supporting ICE detention centers.
Additionally, the administration has converted sections of military installations, such as Guantanamo Bay Naval Base and Fort Bliss in Texas, into detention facilities for individuals awaiting deportation. In June, President Trump dispatched thousands of National Guardsmen and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles due to instances of violence during protests against immigration sweeps.
The deployment of California National Guard troops, which occurred against the wishes of Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, was recently deemed illegal by a federal judge. The judge ruled that the Trump administration had violated federal law prohibiting the military's involvement in civilian law enforcement.
Moreover, National Guard soldiers and federal agents were also deployed to Washington, D.C., as part of a broader crackdown on crime involving immigration operations. This deployment has sparked legal challenges, with D.C.'s attorney general filing a lawsuit against the deployment of National Guard units from both D.C. and certain Republican-led states.
As these developments unfold, the implications of the increased military involvement in immigration enforcement continue to raise significant questions about legal boundaries and the impact on communities across the United States.
