The Trump administration is “doubling down” on the sanctuary city of Chicago with the opening of more Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced during Thursday’s cabinet meeting.
Noem said she toured possible new ICE sites in the Windy City on Friday. Her latest announcement comes just days after Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order to establish “ICE Free Zones” across the city in response to the Trump administration’s deployment of hundreds of National Guard troops.
“We’re purchasing more buildings in Chicago to operate out of. We’re gonna not back off, in fact, we’re doubling down, and we’re gonna be in more parts of Chicago in response to the people there,” said Noem.
“What they’re trying to do with these riots and violence is distract us and keep us from going after those murderers and rapists that are out on the streets,” she added.
🚨 BREAKING: Secretary Kristi Noem just announced DHS will be acquiring MORE facilities for ICE in Chicago, spreading their reach throughout the city
“We’re gonna not back off — in fact, we’re DOUBLING DOWN.
We’re gonna be in MORE parts of Chicago in response to the people… pic.twitter.com/7X1xIB0LDW
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) October 9, 2025
The Trump administration flooded Illinois and Chicago with ICE and Border Patrol agents last month as part of “Operation Midway Blitz.” The effort has yielded more than 1,000 arrests.
Anti-ICE agitators have responded with efforts to block arrests of illegal immigrants roaming the streets, some of which have turned violent.
Border Patrol agents “were rammed by vehicles and boxed in by 10 cars” in Broadview, Illinois, on Saturday, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said on X. One of the alleged attackers, who was later identified as Marimar Martinez, was allegedly carrying a semi-automatic weapon, prompting agents to “fire defensive shots.”
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When a mob of rioters arrived at the scene, the federal agents called the Chicago police to assist. Those officers, however, were instructed to stand down.
Martinez was the subject of a recent federal law enforcement intelligence bulletin after she was allegedly “doxing agents and posting online ‘Hey to all my gang let’s f*** those motherf****ers up, don’t let them take anyone.’”
A leader of the Latin Kings gang also recently placed an alleged $10,000 bounty on the chief of the Trump administration’s deportation raids in Illinois, Commander at Large of the U.S. Border Patrol, Chief Gregory Bovino.
“It’s a war zone out there,” Bovino told Fox News host Sean Hannity Monday night in response to the latest threat.
He added, “That’s something out of a third-world country, is this America?”
Nearly 500 soldiers, including 300 Illinois and 200 Texas National Guard troops, have deployed to Chicago to restore peace.
Illinois has responded by suing the Trump administration, calling the deployment an “invasion.”
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