U.S. military officials announced that 100 National Guard troops will be deployed to Illinois at the request of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, despite opposition from Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker.

This deployment is part of President Donald Trump’s series of threats to send the National Guard to Democrat-led cities like Chicago to tackle crime, as he did in Los Angeles and promised in Portland, Oregon.

Pritzker condemned the deployment plans during a press conference in Chicago, citing a memo from the Department of Homeland Security confirming the need for forces to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities amid rising federal immigrant arrests in the Chicago area.

Department officials did not comment on requests for remarks, while Pritzker said, “What I warned about has now become reality. The only clear thing is that what President Trump is doing does not make Illinois safer.”

The deployment coincides with an intense federal crackdown on illegal immigration in Chicago, where ICE facilities in western suburbs like Broadview have experienced weeks of tense protests and clashes between demonstrators and federal agents.

The exact timing and locations of the deployment have not been specified, but the governor confirmed Illinois is not in a state of emergency, and the city has seen crime rates drop by up to 50% since 2021, according to Chicago Police statistics.

Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed concerns that this move is unconstitutional and represents political interference aimed at stirring tensions, emphasizing that the state will legally challenge the measure if implemented. The governor also warned that such actions could escalate protests and reduce trust in federal authorities.

Meanwhile, reports indicate the Trump administration has begun preparing National Guard troops in Texas for deployment to Illinois, focusing on large-scale arrests.

This deployment is part of a broader Trump administration strategy to enhance federal enforcement in Democratic cities, amid criticism from immigrant rights activists who see it as an attempt to intimidate immigrant communities.

Pritzker urged Chicago residents to document any interactions with federal agents via their phones and share them on social media to ensure transparency.