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By Jenna Sundel and Amanda Castro
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The Trump administration plans to intensify immigration enforcement in five major U.S. cities, including Chicago, where federal officials are considering using a naval base as an operations hub.
Border czar Tom Homan told reporters Thursday that a "large contingent" of resources will be sent to Chicago. He also said there will be a "ramp up" of operations in sanctuary jurisdictions that "refuse to work with ICE."
"You can see a ramp up of operations in Chicago, absolutely," Homan said. "You're going to see a ramp up of operations in New York. You're going to see a ramp up of operations continue in L.A. and, you know, Portland, Seattle."
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Why It Matters
The announcement follows President Donald Trump's renewed criticism of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker over crime in Chicago, suggesting the city's leadership is failing to protect residents. Trump said the federal government stands ready to intervene, while Homan confirmed ongoing discussions about expanding ICE's footprint near the city.
"Governor Pritzker had 6 murders in Chicago this weekend. 20 people were shot. But he doesn't want to ask me for help. Can this be possible? The people are desperate for me to STOP THE CRIME, something the Democrats aren't capable of doing. STAY TUNED!!!" Trump wrote on Truth Social on Thursday.
What To Know
Officials at Naval Station Great Lakes said they received a request from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) seeking "limited support" for ICE, The Washington Post reported.
If the request is granted, the base would provide "facilities, infrastructure, and other logistical needs," defense officials said in a statement obtained by the outlet.
Pritzker told reporters on Wednesday that he was not contacted about the request.
"They don't seem to want to communicate at all. And that's odd because it sounds like what they're trying to do is march right over local police," Pritzker said.
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What Is a Sanctuary City?
Earlier this month, the Department of Justice (DOJ) described sanctuary jurisdictions as "states, cities, and counties identified as having policies, laws, or regulations that impede enforcement of federal immigration laws."
What Cities Are Considered Sanctuary Cities?
The DOJ published a list of sanctuary jurisdictions earlier this month. The cities listed were Albuquerque, New Mexico; Berkeley, California; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; Denver, Colorado; East Lansing, Michigan; Hoboken, New Jersey; Jersey City, New Jersey; Los Angeles, California; New Orleans, Louisiana; New York City, New York; Newark, New Jersey; Paterson, New Jersey; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Portland, Oregon; Rochester, New York; Seattle, Washington; and San Francisco City, California.
What People Are Saying
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker told reporters: "You know, we used to hear that the president of the United States supported local police. We support local police. But now it appears that he wants to ignore them all together and just do whatever he has a whim about on that day."
President Donald Trump, on Truth Social: "A really DEADLY weekend in Chicago. 6 DEAD, 27 HURT IN CRIME SPREES ALLOVER THE CITY. Panic stricken Governor Pritzker says that crime is under control, when in fact it is just the opposite. He is an incompetent Governor who should call me for HELP. Mayor Johnson is no better. Make Chicago Great Again!"
Border czar Tom Homan told reporters: "We're going to take the assets we have and move them to problem areas like sanctuary cities, where we know for a fact they're releasing public safety threat illegal aliens to the streets every day."
What Happens Next
No decision has been made yet on the request from the DHS regarding Naval Station Great Lakes, The Washington Post reported.
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Update 8/28/25, 12:39 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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