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Report: Armored vehicles, surge in federal agents expected in Chicago as two-pronged strategy takes shape

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* CNN

The Trump administration is preparing to conduct a major immigration enforcement operation in Chicago as soon as next week, according to multiple sources familiar with the planning, marking the latest escalation between the president and a Democratic-led city. […]

Now, the anticipated operations in Chicago are expected to be at a larger scale, using personnel from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, and possibly other agencies. Officials are preparing the National Guard to help if a peacekeeping presence is needed, akin to what unfolded in Los Angeles following protests, the sources said.

Preparations for Chicago are already underway, including sending armored vehicles to the city in the coming days and surging federal agents by next Friday, Sept. 5, when, according to two sources, the operation is expected to kick off. Discussions, however, are still ongoing and planning is in flux.

White House officials have made clear that these plans are distinct from the idea the president has suggested over the past week to use federal law enforcement and National Guard troops to carry out a broader crime crackdown in Chicago, similar to the current surge in Washington, DC.

Those discussions, which center on “cleaning up domestic Chicago crime,” as one of the officials put it, are ongoing and are not a part of this immigration-focused operation (though the effort in Washington has yielded a huge spike in immigration-related arrests).

* Meanwhile, in the Tribune

Chicago police Supt. Larry Snelling said Thursday he will not direct his officers to obstruct a potential federal crackdown on the streets but expressed hope that some communication with his department could lower tensions in a city already on edge. […]

Snelling urged protesters to remain peaceful and “try not to obstruct or become physical with federal agents or members of the National Guard.”

The top cop also said until then, it is “impossible to answer” how police who also serve in the National Guard will be treated or what the department will do if federal authorities overstep. He did specify that his officers will be in uniform so they can be easily distinguished from federal troops or law enforcement.

* Lots of people are very concerned about what will happen during this celebration

Organizers say the 2025 Mexican Independence Day parade will go on next month despite fear among the community due to ongoing immigration enforcement. […]

The Mexican Independence Day Parade in Pilsen will take place Saturday, September 6 at noon.

* And the local FOP President is cheering it on

[Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara] told WGN-TV the National Guard’s presence is needed, even if they do not have arresting powers like everyday officers with the Chicago Police Department.

“It would be nice to have some extra bodies,” Catanzara said. “We are well over 1,000 people short in this department, and some extra bodies—especially for that crazy week of Mexican Independence Day—[are] greatly appreciated.”

* Meanwhile, some stories collected by Isabel…

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Aug 28, 25 @ 2:28 pm

Comments

  1. Catanzara is such a snake. “Especially for the Mexican Independence Day parade” - code for this is an op for ICE to round people up.

    Comment by Shytown Thursday, Aug 28, 25 @ 2:42 pm

  2. Catanzara seems to be saying he supports the tin pot dictator because it aligns with his priorities. What happens when they no longer align?

    Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Aug 28, 25 @ 2:44 pm

  3. Have you been downtown during the Mexican Independence Day “parade” the last 5 years?

    Comment by low level Thursday, Aug 28, 25 @ 2:55 pm

  4. ===Have you been downtown during the Mexican Independence Day “parade” the last 5 years?===

    No, but I’m thinking a push to flood the zone with those opposing the dictator might be in order.

    Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Aug 28, 25 @ 3:00 pm

  5. ===a push to flood the zone===

    That particular zone is always pretty flooded during the weekend. /s

    Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Aug 28, 25 @ 3:11 pm

  6. =as one of the officials put it, are ongoing and are not a part of this immigration-focused operation=

    And therein lies the problem. The NG should not be used in cities except in unusual and very temporary/specific issues such as riots. FEDS need to stay oout of other issues.

    Immigration is a Fed issue and to use ICE forces is appropirate- but again, not the NG or other federal troops

    Comment by Mason County Thursday, Aug 28, 25 @ 3:13 pm

  7. In what might be a first, we have a union president cheering the arrival of scabs to come and take work that his union brothers and sisters should be doing.

    Comment by sulla Thursday, Aug 28, 25 @ 4:00 pm

  8. - In what might be a first -

    That’s definitely not a first for police unions.

    Comment by Excitable Boy Thursday, Aug 28, 25 @ 4:02 pm

  9. =Have you been downtown during the Mexican Independence Day “parade” the last 5 years?=

    Yes, pretty much the last two years. Not for that event but I have been there. NOt really a big deal. Lots of people, lots of mexican flags (which seems odd to me when anyone celebrates the independence day of another country not just Mexico but hey, it a things so no biggie) a little chaotic but no different than the lighted parade in November or the 4th of July everywhere else.

    Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Aug 28, 25 @ 4:27 pm

  10. It was so bad that CPD shut down the exits to downtown / north and south loop the past two years since there were so many cars blocking traffic. Firefighters and Police couldn’t respond to emergency calls.

    Comment by low level Thursday, Aug 28, 25 @ 5:01 pm

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