Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson warned on Saturday that the National Guard could soon be deployed to the city as part of a federal immigration crackdown. In response, Johnson signed an executive order titled the Protecting Chicago Initiative — a measure designed to safeguard the rights of Chicago residents.
In his address, Johnson didn’t mince words: “We don’t want tanks on our streets. We don’t want to see families torn apart. We don’t want to see grandmothers shoved into unmarked vans.”
The order directs city agencies to file Freedom of Information Act requests about the Department of Homeland Security’s operations and reaffirms that the Chicago Police Department will remain under local control. 
Under the new mandate, federal agents face strict requirements:
- No masks or hidden identities.
- Body cameras must remain switched on.
- Badges and agency names must be clearly visible.
Johnson emphasized that Chicago never requested this type of intervention, calling Donald Trump’s administration “unpredictable and out of control.” The Protecting Chicago Initiative also aims to ensure residents are fully aware of their rights and to challenge any federal actions that threaten civil liberties.
The document further states that Chicago police will not cooperate with federal agents or the National Guard. The city reaffirmed its status as a “Welcoming City,” meaning municipal employees will not take part in immigrant deportations. Additionally, officers will be required to wear standard uniforms without masks so residents can easily distinguish them from federal agents.
Both Mayor Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker underscored that Chicago will continue to stand by its immigrant communities and protect civil freedoms against federal overreach.
Izvor: ABC7 Photo: Printscreen
