Trump administration seeks Chicago military base support for immigration operations

Mogle said no final decision has been made and the request is still under consideration. The base has not yet received an official order to host or directly support National Guard deployments.

The move follows similar steps earlier this year when the administration sent federal troops to Washington, DC, and Los Angeles to support operations on crime, homelessness and immigration enforcement.

How Chicago is responding

City officials in Chicago said they were making preparations in case federal immigration activity increases, though they have not received detailed guidance.

Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said on Thursday that local authorities were trying to stay ahead of any potential actions. “We don’t want to raise any fears,” he told reporters. “But we do need more communication on plans involving law enforcement.”

Officials said city workers have been circulating “know-your-rights” cards in neighbourhoods with large immigrant populations. The cards offer advice on how to respond if approached by immigration agents.

Community groups said they expect a greater focus on arrests of undocumented migrants, patrols of public spaces and attention on homeless encampments.

When the request came

The request to Naval Station Great Lakes was made earlier this week, according to the base. It is the first known move by the Trump administration to seek military assistance for immigration enforcement in the Chicago area.

It comes weeks after the administration deployed National Guard forces to Washington, D.C., and two months after a similar deployment in Los Angeles.

Trump’s shift from immigration to crime

The development in Chicago comes as President Trump has placed more emphasis on addressing crime in major cities, alongside his continuing focus on immigration.

An analysis by the Associated Press and the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research showed that approval of Trump’s handling of immigration has slipped slightly, from 49% in March to 44% this month. At the same time, about half of US adults now approve of his approach to crime, which is higher than support for his immigration policies.

The polling suggests Trump has been able to present crime control as a strength, even as public views on his immigration stance have cooled.

Reactions from the White House

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the request to the base and said the president was determined to ensure public safety while enforcing immigration law.

“The president has been clear that our federal government will support local communities where needed,” Leavitt told reporters. “The Department of Homeland Security has taken the lead on identifying where extra infrastructure support is useful.”

She added that President Trump continues to believe immigration enforcement and public safety “must go hand in hand.”

Concerns over impact on communities

Immigrant rights groups in Chicago voiced concern about the prospect of federal operations expanding into the city. They said residents fear increased arrests and possible disruption in neighbourhoods where trust between authorities and communities is already fragile.

Some community organisers also noted that Chicago has previously declared itself a “sanctuary city,” limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. They questioned how military involvement would fit with that policy.

Naval Station Great Lakes is the US Navy’s largest training facility. Requests to use military bases for domestic enforcement operations are unusual but not without precedent.

The Trump administration has argued that such facilities provide logistical and operational support without necessarily involving troops in enforcement actions. Officials have said that the support could include the use of buildings, storage, or coordination space for DHS personnel.

The request comes as the administration has also pressed ahead with other controversial steps, including expanding deportation agreements with several countries and moving migrants to detention centres outside their home regions.

It is not yet clear whether Naval Station Great Lakes will approve or provide the support requested by the Department of Homeland Security. Officials at the base stressed that no final decision has been communicated.

For Chicago, city leaders said they would continue planning for a potential increase in immigration enforcement and urged federal authorities to provide clearer information.

“This is about making sure residents know their rights and that the city is ready for whatever comes,” Snelling said.

(With inputs from agencies)

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