Federal authorities are set to launch a significant immigration operation in Chicago next week, with raids scheduled to begin on Friday, September 5, 2025. This initiative, confirmed by CNN, will involve the deployment of federal agents and armored vehicles throughout the city.
Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen announced that an elite tactical unit from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), known as the "strike force," will participate in the operation. This move has sparked considerable concern among local leaders and residents.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has publicly condemned the Trump administration's plans, stating on X that the state will not "sit idly by" if the National Guard is sent to intimidate Chicago's residents. Pritzker emphasized that there will be a response to these actions, escalating tensions in the city.
The upcoming raids are part of a broader crackdown on undocumented immigrants, a move that has drawn criticism from immigrant advocacy groups and local officials. As previously reported, similar situations have unfolded in other cities, raising questions about the impact on communities across the nation. The federal operation in Chicago is expected to affect thousands of residents, creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.
