The administration of Donald Trump is considering the use of Naval Station Great Lakes, north of Chicago, as an operational hub for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the possible deployment of thousands of troops to the city, sparking fierce backlash from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.
According to official statements, the Department of Homeland Security has requested “limited support” from the base, including infrastructure, facilities, and logistics. Although no formal approval has been granted, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has already signaled his willingness to allocate military resources to support ICE operations.
The White House is seeking to escalate immigration enforcement, reportedly setting a target of up to 3,000 arrests per day. The plan has triggered lawsuits and widespread public outcry. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem went further, announcing the creation of a dedicated ICE “strike force” in Chicago.
At the same time, reports suggest the administration is exploring the deployment of thousands of National Guard members, or even active-duty troops, to the city to reinforce ICE. The possibility has already provoked explosive reactions from state officials.
Governor Pritzker accused Trump of bypassing local authorities: “They are not communicating with us. They simply want to sideline local police and send in the military whenever they feel like it,” he said.
Trump responded defiantly, insisting he could act regardless of state opposition: “I am the President of the United States. If I believe our country is in danger, I can do it.”
Legal scholars, however, have voiced strong doubts about the legality of such a move. Elizabeth Goitein, a constitutional law expert, warned that the Trump administration risks treading “on even thinner legal ice” than during the earlier deployment of troops to Los Angeles.
The plan is expected to become another flashpoint in Trump’s re-election campaign, intensifying the already polarized political climate in the United States.
Reporting includes information from the Washington Post
