U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to deploy federal troops in Chicago to carry out a large-scale immigration crackdown, causing extreme tension within the local immigrant community. After more than 300 Korean workers were arrested during a crackdown at the Hyundai and LG Energy Solution battery plant in Georgia, a climate of 'deportation fear' appears to be spreading across the country.
On the 7th (local time), The Wall Street Journal reported that President Trump recently referred to Chicago as a 'disaster area' and repeatedly warned that he would deploy state National Guard and immigration enforcement agents. On that day, he posted a meme on social media (SNS) parodying the Vietnam War movie 'Apocalypse Now' with the phrase 'I love the smell of deportation in the morning.' He also shared a doctored photo showing flames rising against the Chicago skyline with helicopters flying around.
This message immediately sparked controversy. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a Democrat, said, 'The president of the United States is threatening to wage war on American cities,' adding, 'This is neither a joke nor normal.' He indicated the possibility of a lawsuit, stating, 'Illinois will not be intimidated by someone trying to be a dictator.'
President Trump stated, 'We will not wage war,' yet he insisted, 'We will clean up the cities,' maintaining his stance on large-scale crackdowns. Democratic Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth said in a CBS interview that 'there are no signs that federal troops are prepared to be deployed,' but anxiety has spread.
In fact, the Department of Homeland Security announced it would intensify crackdowns on immigrants with criminal records in Massachusetts and reportedly requested space allocation for managers at a nearby naval base in Chicago. Concerns are growing that immigration crackdowns could become a reality.
The local immigrant community has canceled or scaled down everyday events under tension. In the Pilsen area, which is densely populated by Hispanic residents, a parade for Mexican Independence Day took place, but unlike in previous years, the streets were empty. Some residents distributed orange whistles to use when encountering Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to heighten their vigilance. The large 'El Grito' festival scheduled for next week was also canceled for safety reasons. Organizers explained, 'It is a painful decision, but if we hold it now, it would threaten the safety of the community.'
On that day, hundreds gathered in downtown Chicago to protest, chanting slogans such as 'ICE go home' and 'Immigrants are welcome.' Governor Pritzker advised residents to 'be cautious if attending events and to take out your mobile phone and record all actions if you encounter ICE agents.'
There are also concerns regarding the possibility of legal disputes surrounding the deployment of federal troops. A federal judge ruled earlier this year that the use of military personnel during the immigration crackdown in Los Angeles violated domestic law. The Attorney General of Washington, D.C., has also hinted at a lawsuit to halt the deployment of the National Guard.
President Trump has already claimed he would strengthen public security by deploying troops in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., but Democratic leaders are pushing back, saying it is 'an abuse of military force on U.S. soil.'