Preparations underway in Chicago as National Guard deployment becomes a potential possibility

In recent developments, an anticipated immigration enforcement swell has raised concerns among communities in Chicago and beyond. Here's a breakdown of the situation:

The Chicago Teachers Union has taken proactive measures, distributing flyers to remind parents and students of their legal rights in preparation for any potential National Guard deployment. The flyers outline rights such as the right to remain silent, the right to refuse searches, and the right to withhold information about birthplace or citizenship status.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has issued orders stating that the Chicago Police Department will not cooperate with federal agents in civil immigration enforcement. This stance is shared by Democratic Governor JB Pritzker of Illinois, who has threatened to take the administration to court if troops are activated in Chicago. Pritzker has also expressed concerns that ICE will disrupt community events, stating that the terror and cruelty are the intent, not the safety of residents.

This tough stance comes in response to the potential deployment of the National Guard, with reports suggesting they will be in place in Illinois by Friday and ready to act on Saturday. However, it's important to note that the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois does not handle deportation-related cases.

The concerns in Chicago are not isolated. In Broadview, a village west of downtown Chicago, an ICE facility has drawn protests this year and is bracing for more due to a large-scale enforcement campaign. Many families with children in the school are frightened about the prospect of additional ICE agents entering the community, with some fearing a drop in attendance.

One of the largest Mexican Independence Day events in Chicago, El Grito Chicago, has been postponed in response to the potential immigration enforcement action. The two-day festival in downtown's Grant Park, which was scheduled for September 14, has been rescheduled to November 1 due to safety concerns. Similarly, the El Grito Chicago festival and Saturday's Mexican Independence Day Parade in the Pilsen neighbourhood will proceed as planned, but some are scared to attend due to potential ICE enforcement.

The timing of this immigration enforcement ramp-up has raised questions, with some suggesting it may be related to Mexican Independence Day celebrations in Chicago. It's worth noting that crossing the border and being undocumented in the United States is generally a civil, not a criminal, infraction.

The case against National Guard deployment in a US city was bolstered by a federal judge's ruling in San Francisco, which stated that the Trump administration's Los Angeles deployment in June broke federal law prohibiting the military from law enforcement activity on US soil in most cases. The Trump administration has appealed the ruling.

In response to the potential deployment, temporary fencing will be installed outside the Everett McKinley Dirksen Courthouse in Chicago to ensure access for those needing to use the court.

As the situation continues to unfold, it's clear that communities in Chicago are taking proactive steps to protect their rights and ensure the safety of their members. Washington, DC, has already sued over the National Guard deployment in the nation's capital, and Illinois has joined a multistate lawsuit against the administration's efforts to cut off federal relief for undocumented individuals.

This is a developing story, and we will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

Preparations underway in Chicago as National Guard deployment becomes a potential possibility