Report: Over 200 Homeland Security officers could arrive in Chicago next week

CHICAGO (WGN) — Federal forces could be heading to Chicago within days, as a New York Times report reveals the Trump administration’s plan to deploy more than 200 Homeland Security officers for a month-long operation.

According to the report, the officers could begin arriving as soon as Sept. 2, with documents showing requests for space at Naval Station Great Lakes in Lake County.

The requests include accommodations for up to 250 personnel, parking for more than 100 vehicles, and storage for medical supplies and crowd-control weapons, such as rubber bullets and tear gas, according to the New York Times.

City officials, however, say they’ve received no direct communication from federal authorities about the deployment.

“Unless there’s a warrant, these federal agents do not have the right and authority to bogart their way through our institutions,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said.

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling echoed that frustration, noting that the city remains in the dark as the Labor Day holiday approaches.

“To make sure that we’re not stoking fears through neighborhoods and we don’t have people running scared and it doesn’t create chaos on our streets, we’re willing to have those conversations,” Snelling said.

The request came weeks after the Republican administration deployed National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., to target crime, immigration and homelessness, and two months after it sent troops to Los Angeles.

Recently, President Donald Trump has signaled his willingness to deploy troops to the Windy City, calling the city “a mess.”

Although details of the administration’s plans for Chicago are scarce, city leaders said Thursday that they are preparing for multiple possible scenarios, from troops assisting in immigration arrests to patrolling in the streets.

“We don’t want to raise any fears,” Snelling told reporters. “We don’t want to create any speculation around what’s going on.”

Ald. Nick Sposato, a supporter of Trump, says he would prefer federal funding for the police department over boots on the ground.

“Whatever it’s going to cost them to send the National Guard here, send the money strictly for hiring more police,” Sposato said. “That’s all it can be used for.”

The Times report also says Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, signaled that a wider immigration crackdown is likely.

“We aren’t going to tell you how many resources we’re going to send to the city,” Homan said. “We don’t want the bad guy to know how many we’ll be sending. It’ll be a large contingent.”

The potential deployment has raised alarm within Chicago Public Schools as a letter has been sent to families just in case.

“The best and safest place for our children is still at school,” CPS Interim CEO Dr. Macquline King said. “CPS will not share student information with any federal agent, and any federal agent will not be allowed at our schools.”

When asked about the report, the Department of Homeland Security did not confirm or deny specifics, instead reiterated Trump’s call to “make the streets and cities safe again.”