(NewsNation) — The Chicago area is bracing for large-scale Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, which Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker predicted could begin Friday.
Local reports have suggested up to 300 ICE officers will soon assemble at the Naval Station Great Lakes, and operations could start as early as Friday or Saturday.
The expected federal crackdown comes as Chicago prepares for Mexican Independence Day celebrations next week, including the now-canceled “El Grito Chicago” event, NewsNation local affiliate WGN reported.
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Pritzker has encouraged Chicagoans to celebrate as planned and to protest if possible, but warned residents and activists not to “play into their hand” when encountering federal forces.
“Part of their kind of nefarious plan is, begin with ICE, cause mayhem on the ground, and, by doing that, say that there’s a need for military troops on the ground to protect ICE,” Pritzker said.
There was no evidence the National Guard had been officially called into the city as of Friday morning, but Pritzker has vowed to sue if troops set foot in Chicago.
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Illinois Rep. Brad Schneider, Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth were set to hold an event Friday afternoon at the Naval Station Great Lakes, which is expected to house hundreds of federal agents involved in the operations. NewsNation will stream the event live from this story when it begins.
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Durbin has called Trump’s efforts to use the Naval base “unhelpful and illegal.”
An existing ICE detention center in Broadview, Illinois, is set to become the central processing hub and will be running around the clock for the next 45 days.
Immigration advocates said the facility — which is the site of frequent protests — has no beds, no showers and no cafeteria. The complaints led four Democratic members of Illinois’ congressional delegation to attempt an unscheduled visit to the site in June.
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Chicago unveils immigrant resources ahead of ICE operations
Chicago’s Office of Immigrant, Migrant and Refugee Rights updated its website with step-by-step guidance on how immigrants can protect themselves, including user-friendly content explaining their rights.
The website also provides an “essential checklist for new arrivals,” with links to resources to assist in securing food and shelter, obtaining proper government identification, enrolling children in school, riding public transportation and seeking help from local community centers, among other tasks.
NewsNation’s Anna Kutz, partner The Hill and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
