Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed Sunday that the Trump administration will expand Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in major U.S. cities, with Chicago among the top priorities.
Speaking on CBS News’ Face the Nation, Noem said ICE already has active operations in Chicago, Illinois, and other states, but added that the administration plans to increase resources. “We’ve already had ongoing operations with ICE in Chicago and throughout Illinois and other states, making sure that we’re upholding our laws, but we do intend to add more resources to those operations,” she explained.
When pressed on whether an expansion might involve deploying National Guard troops to assist with immigration raids, Noem declined to offer specifics. “That always is a prerogative of President [Donald] Trump and his decision. I won’t speak to the specifics of the operations that are planned in other cities,” she said.
Pushback from Chicago
Her comments followed an executive order signed Saturday by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, directing the city’s legal department to explore ways to challenge or limit federal intervention. At a press conference, Johnson warned that Chicago had “credible reports that we have days, not weeks, before our cities see some type of militarized activity by the federal government.”
The city’s resistance highlights mounting tensions between federal immigration enforcement priorities and local officials who oppose expanded raids or troop deployments.
Broader Enforcement Moves
Earlier in August, the Trump administration directed ICE and other federal law enforcement officers to support police operations in Washington, D.C., as part of a crime-fighting initiative. That effort included thousands of National Guard troops sent to the capital. Trump later threatened to expand similar measures to other cities, naming Baltimore among possible targets.
During Sunday’s interview, Noem also left the door open to Boston and other cities being included in future immigration enforcement surges. “There’s a lot of cities that are dealing with crime and violence right now, and so we haven’t taken anything off the table,” she said.
She added that big cities should welcome federal help: “I’d encourage every single big city – San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, whatever they are – if they want to help make their city safer, more prosperous, allow people the opportunity to walk in freedom like the people of Washington, D.C., are now … they should call us.”
As debate intensifies, cities like Chicago are bracing for what could be an imminent increase in federal law enforcement presence, raising questions about immigration enforcement, local autonomy, and the balance of power between city governments and Washington.
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