Chicago Creates "ICE-Free Zones"

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order Monday prohibiting federal immigration agents from using city-owned property for immigration enforcement operations, as the Trump administration deploys National Guard troops to Illinois.

Johnson established the "ICE-free zones" — referring to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) — as part of his Protecting Chicago Initiative, rejecting President Donald Trump’s crime crackdown and deportation rollout in the city.

"Today, we are signing an executive order aimed at reining in this out-of-control administration," Johnson said during a news conference on Monday. "The order establishes ICE-free zones. That means that city property and unwilling private businesses will no longer serve as staging grounds for these raids."

As Chicago seeks to thwart ICE's deportation efforts, Johnson and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker filed a lawsuit Monday, attempting to block the Trump administration from deploying National Guard troops to Illinois.

Johnson said Chicago would "not tolerate ICE agents violating our residents’ constitutional rights" or the Trump administration's "disregard" for local authority.

Johnson has directed Chicago agencies and departments to identify spaces within the next five days that have been targeted during ICE raids and post a clear message to federal immigration officers that the city-owned property would not be used for immigration enforcement, including as a staging area, processing location or operations base.

"If the federal government violates this executive order, we will take them to court," Johnson said, urging Trump to leave Chicago "the freak alone."