Largest military installation in Illinois to be used as base for immigration enforcement operations across the state
By lauraharris // 2025-09-02
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  • The Trump administration is planning to use Naval Station Great Lakes, north of Chicago, as a logistical hub for expanded immigration enforcement, prompting backlash from Illinois Democrats.
  • Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker have condemned the move, calling it federal overreach and vowing to resist any military involvement in immigration enforcement.
  • Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, a Navy veteran who served at the base, criticized the plan as an abuse of military infrastructure for political purposes.
  • The administration previously sued Illinois and Chicago over sanctuary city policies, part of a broader campaign targeting Democratic-led cities that limit cooperation with ICE.
  • Trump border czar Tom Homan said enforcement operations will intensify in sanctuary cities nationwide, including New York, L.A., Portland and Seattle.
Tensions are escalating among progressives as reports emerge that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is preparing to use Naval Station Great Lakes, the largest military installation in Illinois, as a logistical hub for renewed immigration enforcement operations across the state. According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, the Trump administration has requested "limited support in the form of facilities, infrastructure and other logistical needs" from the U.S. Navy to support DHS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities in Illinois. The station, located roughly 35 miles north of downtown Chicago, has not previously been used for immigration operations of this scale. This move has triggered sharp opposition from Democratic leaders at both the city and state levels. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, a vocal critic of ICE, blasted the plan and renewed calls for Chicago to resist what he labeled "federal overreach." In a recent MSNBC appearance, Johnson warned that the city must remain vigilant and "not be bullied into complicity." (Related: Chicago mayor prioritizes ILLEGALS over American citizens for political gain.) Governor JB Pritzker echoed those sentiments, vowing to use "every peaceful tool" at the state's disposal to oppose what he characterized as a military deployment on U.S. soil. "The state of Illinois is ready to stand against this misuse of military resources," Pritzker said. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who once served at Naval Station Great Lakes during his time in the Navy Reserve, condemned the facility's potential use in immigration operations.

"When I reported for duty at Naval Station Great Lakes, I never imagined that some day a U.S. President would seek to use it as a base for surveillance and enforcement activity on American soil. Our military was not set up to cater to the whims of a would-be American dictator," Buttigieg wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Trump and Homan vow to ramp up immigration operations in all sanctuary cities that refuse to work with ICE

According to Brighteon.AI's Enoch, President Donald Trump has been criticizing Chicago for its sanctuary city policies, arguing that they contribute to crime and pose a threat to public safety. Trump has frequently singled out Chicago in public remarks, portraying the city as plagued by lawlessness and a lack of cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Earlier this year, the administration filed suit against both Illinois and the city, arguing that state and local laws obstruct federal enforcement efforts. The lawsuit was part of a broader effort by the administration to pressure Democratic-led cities into supporting its hardline immigration agenda. Similar legal actions have been launched against New York City, Los Angeles, and Rochester, N.Y., as the White House continues its push to compel local governments to assist with deportation efforts. In line with this, Homan said the administration plans to keep focusing on cities that refuse to cooperate with ICE. "Operations are ramping up across the country, but you could see a ramp up of operations in Chicago, absolutely," Homan said. "You're going to see a ramp up of operations in New York; you're going to see a ramp up of operations continue in L.A., Portland, Seattle, all these sanctuary cities that refuse to work with ICE." Follow Migrants.news for more news about immigrants entering America. Watch the video below to learn how woke sanctuary city Chicago is cracking under the strain of illegal aliens.
This video is from the Recharge Freedom channel on Brighteon.com.

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Chicago's Black community slams city officials over $51 million fund for migrants. Outgoing Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot pleads with Texas Gov. Abbott to stop sending illegal migrants to her sanctuary city. Sources include: Breitbart.com WSJ.com Brighteon.AI Brighteon.com
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