Lake County leaders push back against plans to use Chicago-area naval base to support ICE operations

CHICAGO — A new operation of opposition to President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown: Naval Station Great Lakes in the north suburbs could be used to support ICE operations in the Chicago area.

Organizers stress that any federal presence will be met with strong opposition with every effort made to protect civil rights and keep the people of Illinois safe.

Local leaders from North Chicago, Lake County and state lawmakers are standing together to denounce what they describe as a military operation of fear and division, linked to federal immigration enforcement policies under the pretext of deterring crime.

They oppose the staging or deployment of military and immigration enforcement agents across the state.

Their concerns have been heightened by recent confirmation that federal immigration agents will be present at Naval Station Great Lakes, which is a major US Navy training installation in North Chicago.

They express serious concerns that using the Navy base to house federal agents could disrupt the community, insisting this is not the path to safety. 

They say that the Trump administration’s crackdown to address crime in Chicago and neighboring communities should be handled differently and deployed in a way that builds trust, not fear.

“Those who have served at that installation recieves orders and must obey these orders. As Governor Pritzker has recently reminded us, if they don’t they will be court-martialed and their lives ruined,” said Leon Rockingham Jr., North Chicago mayor.

While the Trump administration has not released specific details about its plans for Chicago and surrounding areas.

On Friday, the Associated Press said an operation is expected to last about 30 days and could start as early as Sept. 5, according to a Department of Homeland Security official. Another U.S. official said the timing for what could be a sustained immigration enforcement effort resembling this summer’s operations in Los Angeles is awaiting final approval.

Both officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss plans that had not been made public.

Local and state leaders say they cannot afford to wait for answers.

Instead, they are taking proactive measures to prepare for a range of possible scenarios, including an increased federal presence with actions potentially beginning as early as next week.