Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has denied Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s request to suspend Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in the state over Halloween weekend.
Pritzker announced Thursday morning that he had sent a letter to Noem asking for a temporary pause in “immigration enforcement,” saying his goal was to ensure children in Chicago could safely enjoy the holiday weekend, implying that federal immigration enforcement agents were targeting kids.
But during an appearance on Fox News, the DHS secretary denied the request, noting that immigration enforcement efforts, which are primarily targeting illegal alien criminals, would actually make Chicago streets safer.
“No, we’re going to be out on the streets in full force and increase our activities to make sure kids are safe. Every day in Chicago, we’re arresting murderers, child pedophiles, those who have perpetuated assault and pornography against children,” she said.
“We’re going to be out there to make sure that they can be safe, enjoy the holidays, spend some time with their families and their neighbors and their communities, and they don’t have to be the victim of a crime because of these illegal aliens that are in our country victimizing them,” she added.
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Earlier this month, Ray Lopez, a Democratic alderman representing Chicago’s 15th Ward, voiced support for President Donald Trump’s decision to increase the number of federal personnel deployed to the city, saying many of his constituents agree with the move.
In an interview with Fox News, Lopez was asked whether residents in his ward shared the views of Mayor Brandon Johnson and Pritzker, who have accused the Trump administration of “declaring war” on Chicago with its expanded federal presence.
“Absolutely not. There are many people in the city of Chicago who completely support having the additional resources to keep both ICE agents and community protesters safe,” Lopez said.
He then ripped Pritzker and Chicago leaders for having an adversarial relationship with an administration simply attempting to make the city safer.
“What we have seen is a complete abdication of responsibility, both by Governor Pritzker and by the mayor of the city of Chicago, who have refused up until this point to allow police just to maintain the peace for protesters and for ICE agents doing their job,” Lopez continued.
“We need to bring some sanity back to the conversation, and a majority of Chicagoans want to see that happen,” he added.
A week earlier, Trump ordered the deployment of 300 Texas National Guard personnel to reinforce federal agents operating in the area, following weeks of escalating unrest. The situation intensified when agents were surrounded and rammed by a group of far-left militants, at least one of whom was reportedly armed.
A federal judge temporarily blocked the deployment, which the Pentagon said was intended to support the “Federal Protection Mission to protect federal functions, personnel, and property.”
Meanwhile, the administration has dispatched hundreds of additional officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and other federal agencies to assist with deportation operations and ensure the safety of federal personnel.
The deployment follows a series of arrests outside a federal facility in Broadview, Illinois, which has been the target of repeated attacks by far-left groups.
The Broadview facility has faced near-daily unrest, with rioters clashing with federal agents, throwing rocks, slashing tires, and blocking vehicles.
Several Democratic candidates for an open congressional seat in Chicago — including Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss and progressive activist Kat Abughazaleh — have posted videos of themselves obstructing federal vehicles.
Abughazaleh was indicted for her part in impeding federal agents earlier this week.
