Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson boldly defies President Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts, launching a taxpayer-funded campaign to teach illegal immigrants how to evade federal authorities while refusing federal troops to help secure his overwhelmed city.
Key Takeaways
- Mayor Johnson is relaunching a “Know Your Rights” campaign across Chicago’s transit system to help immigrants avoid deportation, placing ads on over 400 CTA screens.
- Chicago has been specifically named as one of five cities targeted for tactical immigration raids by the Trump administration, with specialized teams reportedly equipped with “mini tanks.”
- Johnson has threatened legal action against federal immigration enforcement efforts, comparing them to constitutional violations and encouraging resistance.
- The city has received over 51,000 migrants since August 2022, putting immense strain on local resources while city officials prioritize protecting illegal immigrants over addressing citizen concerns.
- Chicago’s police department is under scrutiny for allegedly sharing information about arrestees with ICE, despite the city’s Welcoming City Ordinance restricting such practices.
Mayor Johnson Mobilizes Against Federal Immigration Enforcement
As President Trump intensifies immigration enforcement efforts nationwide, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has positioned his administration in direct opposition to federal authority. The mayor’s office announced the relaunch of a taxpayer funded “Know Your Rights” campaign specifically designed to help illegal immigrants evade ICE enforcement. This campaign will display information on over 400 screens throughout Chicago’s transit system, effectively using public resources to obstruct federal law enforcement operations aimed at removing illegal aliens from the country.
“Even if the federal government doesn’t know or care about the Constitution, Chicagoans deserve to know their constitutional rights,” Johnson said at a City Hall news conference. – Mayor Brandon Johnson
This direct challenge to federal authority comes as Chicago has been specifically identified as one of five cities targeted for tactical immigration enforcement operations. According to reports, the Trump administration has indicated that specialized teams equipped with “mini tanks” may be deployed to facilitate the removal of illegal immigrants who have been ordered deported but remain in the country unlawfully. In response, Johnson has taken an aggressive stance, vowing to fight these enforcement efforts through legal, policy, and public actions.
The bridges came down, but the lies stayed up …
Chicago Collapses in Real Time: Teens Shot on Sidewalks, Cars Stolen in Front of Cops, Downtown Paralyzed for a Protest That Already Happenedhttps://t.co/FA5Tcn6fs7 | Street Reports | 12 June 2025 by @drkugler
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Legal Confrontation Brewing Between City and Federal Government
Mayor Johnson’s administration is preparing for a legal showdown with the federal government over immigration enforcement. Chicago is supporting California’s lawsuit against the Trump administration regarding National Guard deployment in Los Angeles, signaling a coordinated resistance effort among Democrat-led jurisdictions. Corporation Counsel Mary Richardson-Lowry has suggested revising FOIA laws to further shield illegal immigrants by limiting the release of sensitive information that could assist federal enforcement efforts.
“We believe it is a violation of the Constitution to deploy troops or National Guard absent authority under the Constitution,” said Mary Richardson-Lowry.
The city has already taken concrete steps to obstruct federal enforcement, with the Law Department refusing to release records of CityKey program applicants – a government ID program widely used by undocumented residents. This refusal represents a deliberate effort to shield illegal immigrants from federal detection and removal. Additionally, a forthcoming committee hearing has been scheduled to investigate alleged police involvement with immigration enforcement, highlighting the administration’s determination to prevent local law enforcement from cooperating with federal authorities.
Chicago’s Migrant Crisis Strains City Resources
While Mayor Johnson focuses on obstructing federal immigration enforcement, Chicago continues to struggle with the arrival of over 51,000 migrants since August 2022, many relocated from Texas. This massive influx has placed significant strain on city resources, housing capacity, and social services. Instead of addressing the root causes of this crisis or working with federal authorities to manage illegal immigration, Johnson’s administration has doubled down on policies that encourage more illegal migration while doing little to alleviate the burden on Chicago taxpayers.
“For instance, Chicago is very well educated,” Homan said. “They call it ‘know your rights.’ I call it how to escape arrest … how to hide from ICE,” said Tom Homan.
Some city officials have gone as far as suggesting deploying local police to protect public spaces from ICE raids actively. Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez has advocated for using Chicago’s police force to interfere with federal immigration operations – a move that would directly pit local law enforcement against federal authorities carrying out their lawful duties. This extraordinary suggestion reveals the extent to which Chicago’s leadership is willing to escalate conflict with the federal government over immigration enforcement, potentially risking federal funding and support for other critical city programs.
Internal City Divisions Over Information Sharing
The Johnson administration faces internal pressure regarding allegations that the Chicago Police Department has been sharing personal information of arrestees with ICE, despite laws prohibiting such practices. The city’s Welcoming City Ordinance restricts police from sharing information with federal immigration authorities unless legally required, creating tension between law enforcement’s needs and the city’s sanctuary policies. Several alderpersons have urged Johnson to address these police department information-sharing practices more urgently, suggesting growing discord within city government.
“The mayor should be on top of this,” said 22nd Ward Ald. Mike Rodriguez. “I would hope the mayor knows exactly what happened at this point and can communicate that at the right time, and that’s ASAP,” 22nd Ward Ald Mike Rodriguez
As Chicago prepares for potential increased immigration enforcement, Deputy Mayor Beatriz Ponce de León has directed immigrants to resources for preparation, including organizing guardianship arrangements and financial responsibilities in case of detainment. The city’s stance continues to prioritize protecting illegal immigrants over cooperating with federal authorities to enforce immigration law, creating a dangerous precedent of local governments actively working to undermine federal enforcement efforts while Chicago residents bear the financial and social costs of unchecked illegal immigration.
