On Sunday, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem addressed the potential for expanding immigration enforcement operations across various cities in the United States. During her appearance on CBS's Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan, Noem stated, "We haven't taken anything off the table" when it comes to addressing crime and violence in urban areas. She emphasized the importance of ensuring that law enforcement has the necessary resources and equipment to effectively tackle these issues.
Recent reports from CBS News indicate that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is planning to extend its operations to Chicago in the coming days. This move follows a similar immigration arrest operation that took place in Los Angeles earlier this year. Noem confirmed that ongoing collaboration with ICE is already in effect in Chicago and across Illinois, stating, "We are making sure that we're upholding our laws." However, she acknowledged the intention to bolster these operations with additional resources.
While Noem refrained from disclosing specific details of the operations for safety reasons, she reiterated the commitment to target the "worst of the worst" criminals nationwide, as directed by President Trump. The Trump administration has actively pursued cities that restrict local cooperation with federal immigration agents, often referred to as sanctuary jurisdictions. This strategy has included filing lawsuits and exploring various intervention methods.
Noem's statements come amid President Trump’s intensified focus on combating crime in major cities, which began with efforts in Washington, D.C. Recently, Trump federalized the Metropolitan Police Department in D.C. and deployed the National Guard to assist local law enforcement. This deployment has sparked controversy, particularly regarding the use of National Guard troops in Los Angeles, which led to legal challenges from California's Democratic governor.
When questioned about the potential involvement of National Guard troops in Chicago for the upcoming immigration enforcement operations, Noem deferred to President Trump's authority, stating, "That always is a prerogative of President Trump and his decision." Department of Homeland Security sources clarified that the immigration enforcement plans are independent of Trump’s recent threats to deploy the National Guard to combat crime in Chicago.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has strongly opposed the administration's threats, labeling the immigration enforcement approach as "dangerous and un-American." In a prior interview, Pritzker emphasized the presence of long-term residents in Chicago who contribute to the community, questioning the rationale behind their potential arrests. "Why are we making them disappear?" he asked, highlighting that many are law-abiding citizens.
Pritzker asserted that Chicago is making strides in reducing violent crime and criticized the Trump administration for causing disruption without proper coordination. In response, Noem suggested that city leaders should collaborate with the White House to enhance safety measures. She urged major cities, including San Francisco and Boston, to reach out to the administration to create safer, more prosperous environments for their residents.
Noem concluded by stating that every urban area is assessed individually for safety needs, declaring, "Absolutely. Every single city is evaluated for what we need to do there to make it safer." She emphasized that the administration's approach is not politically motivated but focused solely on public safety.
