City officials in Chicago are gearing up for a potential deployment of federal immigration agents as they prepare for raids targeting workplaces across the city.
Mayor Brandon Johnson has publicly encouraged Chicagoans to resist President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement actions, framing the situation as a challenge to democracy and humanity.
Cristina Pacione-Zayas, Chief of Staff to Mayor Johnson, revealed that federal agents had been notified just one day prior about their deployment to Chicago along with four other Democrat-led cities.
She indicated that the tactical teams are focused on workplaces, signaling a significant escalation in federal enforcement activities.
As tensions rise, Chicago may experience a surge in law enforcement and military presence similar to what has recently been seen in Los Angeles, where protests have erupted in response to immigration raids.
Pacione-Zayas noted, “We’ve seen how they’ve shown up in LA with the mini tanks, with arms, with also chemical agents; we have seen them in full riot gear, we have seen them fully concealed.”
Mayor Johnson further articulated his call for resistance, stating, “It’s a war on our culture. It’s a war on our democracy. It’s a war on our humanity. I am counting on all of Chicago to resist in this moment because, whatever particular vulnerable group is being targeted today, another group will be next.”
He emphasized the unity among Chicagoans in the face of divisive tactics from federal authorities, asserting that no group is immune from such challenges.
Recent enforcement actions by federal immigration agencies have led to heightened tensions, sparking protests and confrontations between activists and law enforcement.
On Tuesday, a march through Downtown Chicago disrupted major traffic arteries, drawing thousands in a demonstration against recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids.
This rallying cry is expected to further intensify with the upcoming “No Kings” protest scheduled for Saturday at Daley Plaza from 12 to 2 p.m., where participants will unite against President Trump’s administration and its policies.
Organized by Indivisible Chicago along with numerous political groups, unions, and organizations, Saturday’s protest is part of a broader nationwide effort,
With other protests occurring in surrounding suburbs such as Evanston, Oak Park, and La Grange, the “No Kings” march is being promoted as a day of defiance against authoritarianism.
“We’re taking action to reject authoritarianism—and show the world what democracy really looks like,” stated the event organizers.
In conjunction with this Chicago event, a military parade is planned in Washington, D.C., which will showcase thousands of troops as a show of strength, adding to the tensions surrounding the upcoming protests.
The protests resonate particularly as recent ICE raids in Chicago have resulted in at least ten arrests during check-ins under a monitoring program for immigrants in the South Loop, which raised concerns about the treatment of individuals within the immigration system.
During the Tuesday demonstrations, law enforcement arrested 17 individuals, including four on felony charges related to vandalism during the protests.
Despite escalated tensions, the march remained largely peaceful, reflecting the protesters’ commitment to non-violence as they sought to have their voices heard.
As the potential for further protests looms, Mayor Johnson assured community members that city police officers and workers would safeguard the First Amendment rights of all participants.
He stated, “We’re going to make sure that here locally, that we demonstrate what’s sensible about our democracy, and that’s protecting the fundamental right to protest and demonstrate and to peacefully assemble.”
Johnson emphasized that anyone who steps outside the bounds of peaceful assembly would be held accountable, striving for a balance between public order and individuals’ rights to express dissent.
The upcoming ‘No Kings’ march not only signifies opposition to President Trump’s administration but also aligns with a broader wave of activism targeting immigration policies — a reflection of the frustrations felt by many in communities vulnerable to such actions.
As Chicago readies for these events, the focus remains on ensuring safety while amplifying voices in resistance to what many perceive as unjust federal policies and actions.
image source from：https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/06/11/chicago-braces-for-surge-in-immigration-raids-as-mayor-brandon-johnson-urges-city-to-resist-ice/
