President-elect Donald Trump has announced plans to use the military to help carry out mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. However, many officials in Illinois, including lawyers and government leaders, argue that this plan may be illegal and unconstitutional.
What Trump Said
On his social media platform, Trump confirmed his intentions, calling the plan “TRUE!” He said he would declare a national emergency to send military forces into U.S. cities for deportation efforts.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker called the idea “frightening” and questioned its legality, saying, “Using the military on U.S. soil for this purpose seems unconstitutional and unwarranted.”
Concerns About the Plan
Critics, including the ACLU of Illinois, argue that the military is trained for combat, not for rounding up civilians. ACLU spokesman Ed Yohnka said the plan could harm the public’s trust in the military and called it a “terrible idea.”
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said the legal basis for using the military in this way is unclear, adding it depends on whether the government claims there is a national security threat.
Local Sanctuary Laws
Illinois has laws in place to protect undocumented immigrants, including rules that stop local law enforcement from helping federal immigration agents during raids. Chicago and Cook County are designated “sanctuary” areas, meaning they limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
However, Trump’s incoming Border Security Secretary, Tom Homan, said these sanctuary policies won’t stop the administration’s efforts. “ICE will do its job without excuse,” Homan said.
National Guard and Costs
Governor Pritzker also noted that Trump cannot deploy the National Guard within Illinois without the state’s approval. Only governors have the authority to call up the National Guard for state-level actions.
Homan said the plan will begin by targeting undocumented immigrants with criminal records. However, experts say the operation could cost tens of billions of dollars, and many details about how it will work remain unclear.
What’s Next?
While Trump’s administration is moving forward with plans for mass deportations, Illinois officials are preparing to resist actions they believe are unconstitutional or harmful. Attorney General Raoul said federal agents already have the authority to target undocumented immigrants with criminal records without violating state laws.
The fight over these immigration policies is likely to continue as Trump takes office.