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* The Washington Post reported yesterday the Pentagon has officially approved ICE and Customs and Border Protection to use Naval Station Great Lakes, just outside Chicago, as a base for large-scale immigration raids…
The Pentagon has approved the use of a Navy base on the outskirts of Chicago as a staging ground from which the Trump administration can launch operations against undocumented immigrants, said two defense officials familiar with the issue.
Naval Station Great Lakes will serve as a hub in upcoming operations overseen by the Department of Homeland Security, the officials said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.
It could also potentially be used as a place to house National Guard or active-duty service members, if President Donald Trump orders a surge of U.S. troops to the city, as he did this summer in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
The approval comes after DHS sought permission late last month for agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other law enforcement personnel to use the base.
* A quick rundown ahead of this weekend…
• The Sun-Times reported agents are expected to leave the base by 5 am each day and will stay in hotels in nearby suburbs, including Waukegan. The operation is expected to last more than a month.
• About 140 unmarked vehicles are already on site, and officials are seeking a no-fly zone to keep news helicopters and drones away, according to the Sun-Times.
• El Grito Chicago, a Mexican Independence Day festival in Grant Park, was canceled yesterday due to concerns about increased immigration enforcement.
• Organizers of the Pilsen Mexican Independence Day parade say it will go forward with extra precautions.
• The ICE facility in Broadview will serve as the main processing site CBS Chicago reported yesterday, running seven days a week for roughly 45 consecutive days. Mayor Katrina Thompson told residents that “a large-scale enforcement campaign will soon be underway.” The building’s windows were boarded up Wednesday ahead of anticipated protests.
• Advocates raised concerns last month about conditions at the Broadview facility, which traditionally was used to process detainees for less than a day. “People were going without beds, with cold food, no showers for three days on average, and that’s completely unacceptable,” Omar Flores, chair of the Immigrants’ Rights Working Committee, told WGN.
* Related stories…
* WBEZ | Flash-bang grenades and early morning raids: How Trump is planning to target Chicago: At least 30 agents already have arrived at Naval Station Great Lakes near North Chicago, where they’ve been practicing crowd control with shields and flash-bang grenades, the sources said. Similar training has been underway for several months.
* Sun-Times | Chicago’s Latino leaders urge ‘don’t take the bait’ as city braces for uptick in federal agents: Latino Leadership Council members, former U.S. Rep. Luis Gutiérrez, D-Chicago, and other officials at Daley Plaza Thursday repeatedly emphasized that residents “don’t take the bait” from Trump, suggesting his plan to send troops to Chicago is a ploy to agitate the community. They also called on residents to remain peaceful during protests that might arise from a National Guard deployment to the city.
* Fox Chicago | Lake County defends immigrant families as agents arrive in Naval Station Great Lakes: Lake County and the City of North Chicago reassured residents that they would not take part in federal immigration enforcement after reports of “unprecedented” operations being coordinated out of Naval Station Great Lakes. In a joint statement released Thursday, officials said the activities are “entirely at the federal level,” adding that Illinois law prohibits state and local police from assisting in immigration enforcement.
* Tribune | ICE agents detain 2 at county domestic violence courthouse this week. Advocates warn of chilling effect on victims: “It’s an affront to all the work this country has done over the last 40 years to ensure that victims of domestic violence and sexual assault have access to justice,” said Amanda Pyron, president and CEO of The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence. “There’s no other result to an action like this but a deterrent to victims seeking the safety and justice they deserve.” The Cook County public defender’s office confirmed to the Tribune that two of its clients were arrested by immigration agents — a 41-year-old woman on Wednesday and a 40-year-old man on Monday. Officials said they were still gathering information, but said the woman had no criminal background and was not a risk to the public. The woman who was arrested had been charged with two misdemeanor counts of domestic battery, but the charges were dropped on Wednesday, according to court records.
* Crain’s | As Trump targets Chicago, businesses prep for raids and protests: “Once the agencies come in, you’re going to get protesters, and that will lead to street closures,” says Sam Toia, president of the Illinois Restaurant Association. Immigration raids present a challenge to restaurants on two fronts: Protests and street closures keep patrons away, and the threat of immigration enforcement can keep restaurant workers home. Restaurants still haven’t fully recovered on either front from the COVID-19 pandemic. “Some people will be timid about coming into work and restaurant operators are planning for that,” Toia said, anticipating absenteeism could run as high as 20%. “(Staffing) has gotten a little better, but restaurants are still running pretty tight.”
* Sun-Times | CTU calls for remote learning option for families amid looming immigration raids: Union President Stacy Davis Gates said the district should have a plan to shift those students to online learning to minimize the impact of being outside of the classroom. But Gates wasn’t optimistic that the district would be able to achieve that. “CPS is not ready for that,” she said, though she noted CPS was in a better position to stand up remote learning than it was when the pandemic hit.
* WIFR | With ICE raids planned for Chicago, city of Rockford alerts immigrants to know their rights: United States Senator, Dick Durbin agrees with McNamara’s statement, explaining there is a possibily it expands into Rockford. “There is a genuine concern in the Hispanic population that there’s a mass deportation underway,” Durbin explained. Sara Dady, an area immigration lawyer also spoke out. Adding it is important for individuals to know their rights. “Everyone needs to exercise their rights. It’s important to remain calm, know who you’re dealing with, and decline to answer any questions. No one has to be rude; be firm, people can be respectful, but be firm in their rights,” explained Dady.
* ABC Chicago | Chicago area braces for expanded ICE operations, protests this weekend: People gathered outside Naval Station Great Lakes Thursday night to pray ahead of the expected enforcement. Pastor Julie Contreras with United Giving Hope Church says these operations will separate families while Illinois Republican Chair Kathy Salvi says the administration is following through on its campaign promises.
* WTTW | Under Threat of ICE Strikes, El Grito Canceled and Communities Prepare for Mexican Independence Day Celebrations: Immigration and Customs Enforcement strike teams are likely to begin operations around Chicago in the coming days, and local officials expect agents to target large gatherings like Sunday’s parade in Little Village and Saturday’s 26th Street Mexican Independence Day Parade in Pilsen. While this weekend’s planned events are still scheduled to proceed, the two-day El Grito Chicago festival scheduled to take place in Grant Park Sept. 13-14 has been postponed due to the threat of raids.
* NBC | How Chicago and Boston officials are readying for Trump’s promise of more immigration raids: Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey told NBC News in a statement Wednesday that “what we are seeing from Donald Trump across the country isn’t about public safety — it’s about political intimidation.” While there aren’t yet concrete indications of exactly when additional law enforcement could be expected in those cities, immigration enforcement has gone hand in hand with the Trump administration’s sending National Guard troops to Los Angeles and in the federal takeover of Washington, D.C. Trump said late Tuesday that he would be “going in” to Chicago and that he had a right to go into the city to “protect this country.”
* CNN | Hundreds of undocumented immigrants apprehended in massive ICE raid at Hyundai plant in Georgia: About 450 people were apprehended as several law enforcement agencies descended on the Hyundai Metaplant site in Ellabell, about 25 miles west of Savannah, officials said, in the latest example of the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration at workplaces across the country. The raid halted construction of a factory being built to produce batteries for electric vehicles, the Associated Press reported. The facility has been touted by Georgia’s governor as the largest economic development site in the state’s history, the AP added.
posted by Isabel Miller
Friday, Sep 5, 25 @ 9:35 am
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Hyundai raid - any managers / HR staff arrested?
Comment by Anyone Remember Friday, Sep 5, 25 @ 10:34 am
While enforcement has often focused on workplace raids and penalties for undocumented employees, the larger issue is systemic. The immigration system itself is widely seen as outdated and inefficient. Instead of targeting individuals simply working to support themselves and their families, enforcement should prioritize violent criminals and public safety threats.
Scale of the Issue
This is not about one or two workers—it is about hundreds of undocumented employees working for a large multinational company. That scale raises serious compliance and ethical questions, but it also highlights the gap between current labor needs and the lack of a fair, workable immigration process.
Comment by I learned this from Ernie Friday, Sep 5, 25 @ 10:34 am
ICE Raid at Hyundai Plant - It’s outrageous immigrants coming to this country want to work, pay taxes, and provide a living and a better life for their families. /s
Comment by Steve Pollite Friday, Sep 5, 25 @ 10:38 am
-immigrants coming to this country want to work, pay taxes-
Many are on public assistance programs. Many aren’t net taxpayers. If they didn’t come here legally , they have no right to be here.
Comment by Steve Friday, Sep 5, 25 @ 10:41 am
-Hyundai raid - any managers / HR staff arrested?-
Nah, the current decision makers don’t consider white-collar crime to be “real” crime.
Comment by The Dude Abides Friday, Sep 5, 25 @ 10:51 am
===Many are on public assistance programs.===
Please show your homework. TIA
Comment by Anyone Remember Friday, Sep 5, 25 @ 10:52 am
“Many aren’t net taxpayers.”
Interesting conception of citizenship you have here. You realize it leaves rural America with near zero population? Entire states could be zeroed out. Let’s whittle this country down to the landed gentry only.
Comment by Larry Bowa Jr. Friday, Sep 5, 25 @ 10:55 am
“Many are on public assistance programs”
I’ll say it again,
Barnum was prescient and Carlin a prophet.
Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Friday, Sep 5, 25 @ 10:57 am
@Steve You need to do some research. According to several sources, undocumented immigrants pay close to $100 billion per year in federal, state and local taxes in this country, despite being ineligible for many benefits. Also, FYI, being undocumented is a civil matter–it’s not a crime, despite what the current administration blathers on social media.
Plus, many work hard at jobs that “real” Americans think they’re too good to do. And “real” American employers have historically taken full advantage of that fact.
When your ancestors stepped off the big wooden boat, did they have “papers” in hand?/s
Comment by Crispy Friday, Sep 5, 25 @ 10:57 am
@Steve Being undocumented is a civil, not a criminal, matter–ironically, unlike the white collar crime committed by the managers, who nevertheless somehow avoid consequences for employing undocumented workers. Odd, that.
Comment by Crispy Friday, Sep 5, 25 @ 10:59 am
Keep raising prices for consumers. It’s lunacy. Between raids and tariffs prices just going to continue to rise. The graft and corruption unparalleled.
Comment by PoliticsD Friday, Sep 5, 25 @ 11:10 am
==Many are on public assistance programs. Many aren’t net taxpayers.==
Wrong.
Comment by low level Friday, Sep 5, 25 @ 11:12 am
“The graft and corruption unparalleled.”
I take it you don’t live in Chicago? /s/
Comment by Downstate Friday, Sep 5, 25 @ 11:12 am
+If they didn’t come here legally , they have no right to be here.+
And what did you do that was so deserving of being here? Nothing. Born into citizenship by dumb luck. You’re not special.
Comment by Politix Friday, Sep 5, 25 @ 11:16 am
Thank you President Trump. Foreign nationals here in violation of federal immigration law have to go, simple as that.
Comment by so much winning Friday, Sep 5, 25 @ 11:19 am
My other question is why now? There was more crime during Trump’s first term from 2017-2021. Why didn’t he bring in troops then?
Comment by low level Friday, Sep 5, 25 @ 11:22 am
==My other question is why now? There was more crime during Trump’s first term from 2017-2021. Why didn’t he bring in troops then?==
“Why didn’t you do something sooner?” is not exactly a slam-dunk argument. We generally don’t tell people to not bother brushing their teeth if they didn’t brush their teeth the day before.
The reason that sending the National Guard to Chicago is a bad idea is that it won’t produce any positive effect. That was true in 2017 and is true now. We don’t need to come up with Republican-style bad argumentative points to get there.
Comment by Garfield Ridge Guy Friday, Sep 5, 25 @ 11:37 am
-$100 billion per year in federal, state and local taxes in this country,-
If they are such net taxpayers there’s no need for Title 1 money for English Language Learners. Thanks for the handy tip.
Comment by Steve Friday, Sep 5, 25 @ 11:54 am
Why now? MAGA followers apparently will accept anything except child molesters and that’s exactly what the guy is. His approval rating was at 33% when the storm was raging. The Epstein stuff explains the timing.
Comment by PoliticsD Friday, Sep 5, 25 @ 11:56 am
“Foreign nationals here in violation of federal immigration law have to go, simple as that.”
First, our immigration laws need fixed, not as simple as that.
Second, the ICE roundups are not just people in violation of immigration laws. For example, international students here legally are having their visas revoked. Other legal immigrants are having their green cards cancelled. Legal asylum seekers are having their cases dropped and then immediately detained. This is not just about “criminals” or people here illegally. It’s about creating fear and chaos, consolidating power, and suppressing independent, opposing thoughts and ideals. We are on the direct path to an authoritarian government. Whether or not our democratic republic can hold up remains to be seen.
Comment by Steve Polite Friday, Sep 5, 25 @ 11:56 am
–Many aren’t net taxpayers–
We weren’t either for many, many years. We’re happy to pay up now. We were always grateful.
Comment by Stix His Friday, Sep 5, 25 @ 11:57 am
=If they are such net taxpayers there’s no need for Title 1 money for English Language Learners.=
Tell me you have no clue as to what you are talking about without telling me. Thanks for the tip.
I have been thinking about all of this way too much lately. And the thing that strikes me is that there is probably nothing more “American” in the USA style of American than coming from another country and trying to become a citizen. It is certainly far more American than me. I was born here and did not have to risk anything. I did not have to uproot my life, flee a totalitarian regime, risk my life to seek something better in a place that I did not speak the language. I just woke up and I was American. I wasn’t some rich guys mail order bride who was put at the front of the line (completely antithetical to equality of opportunity). Coming to the land of opportunity with little or nothing is the subject of hollywood time and again. And now it is demonized.My in laws gave up everything to take a chance on a better life in America with no guarantees, because poor people get none. Like a lot of people gettin deported now, they signed up when they got here and went through a years long process for citizenship. They worked and PAID TAXES and spent thousands of very very hard earned dollars to become citizens. Never knowing for sure that they would, and always risking denial.
Now the “follow the law people” actively and hypocritically support a felon who has failed to “follow the law” time and time again.
It was a different America then.
Comment by JS Mill Friday, Sep 5, 25 @ 12:15 pm
Thanx Stix His. We’re all immigrants here. Post of the day!
Comment by Jerry Friday, Sep 5, 25 @ 12:21 pm
== My other question is why now? ==
Epstein deflection
Comment by Just Me Friday, Sep 5, 25 @ 12:22 pm
== While enforcement has often focused on workplace raids and penalties for undocumented employees, the larger issue is systemic ==
Which raises lots of questions. How were they were hired in the first place with the verification process that employers are supposed to follow?
Did the companies just not do verification? What are the penalties for that? Just a corporate fine that will be considered the cost of doing business?
Or did the workers present false documentation? And if so, why was that not caught?
Comment by RNUG Friday, Sep 5, 25 @ 12:23 pm
===Foreign nationals here in violation of federal immigration law have to go, simple as that.===
It’s not that simple. Yes, we need to improve our border controls. Yes, there are many undocumented people that should be returned to their native countries, especially those in our prisons once they complete their sentences.
But what about refugees? What about children brought here by their parents when they were babies? This is the only country they know. Can you have any empathy for them? What about people who came here decades ago, and worked hard and built productive lives here? These are some of my neighbors. Must they be rounded up and ejected?
Furthermore, what is the economic impact of removing as many as 10 million people? How do you replace the workforce given our native born population is aging and in need of care? Who do you think is willing to move to rural America and do the necessary farm work, or drive seniors to their doctors’ appointments, or other critically needed roles?
It’s not simple. We should be searching for ways to provide legal status for many of the foreign nationals who are here. There is a middle ground approach rooted in American values and even Christian charity, and yet you and many others dismiss it out of hand.
It’s not simple. I completely disagree with you. And so do millions of other Americans.
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Sep 5, 25 @ 12:25 pm
@ So much winning
=== Thank you President Trump. Foreign nationals here in violation of federal immigration law have to go, simple as that. ===
You do know that includes Melania Trump, right? she violated immigration law.
Comment by H-W Friday, Sep 5, 25 @ 12:31 pm
==My other question is why now? There was more crime during Trump’s first term from 2017-2021. Why didn’t he bring in troops then?==
My opinion is that in his first term, he had more people willing to tell him no, we can’t do that.
And even then, he had stuff like tear gassing people at a church in DC so he could go have a photo op, holding a bible upside down.
Now it’s only yes-men and people who know they will be replaced until someone tells him yes.
Comment by BE Friday, Sep 5, 25 @ 12:40 pm
==You do know that includes Melania Trump, right? she violated immigration law.==
Musk, too.
Comment by BE Friday, Sep 5, 25 @ 12:47 pm
Ohh, Steve, I got to admit, sometimes when I’m at the self serve gas pump when no one is looking I push the secret immigrant button that deducts all the taxes.
Comment by Rivers Gently Flowing Friday, Sep 5, 25 @ 1:25 pm
Steve, its funny you are so concerned with immigrants being net taxpayers. Im sure you are as equally concerned about downstate Illinois who take in much more than they pay in taxes.
Comment by low level Friday, Sep 5, 25 @ 1:38 pm