Sat. October 4, 2025
Chicago -
A wave of fear and outrage rippled across Chicago this weekend after President Donald Trump ordered 300 Illinois National Guard troops to be federalized and deployed to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in the city. The move, announced late Friday, follows a string of violent raids that have left residents shaken and civil rights organizations warning of serious constitutional violations.
In recent days, reports have surfaced of ICE agents throwing smoke bombs into streets where children were playing, ransacking apartments, and detaining U.S. citizens, some dragged from their beds in the middle of the night. Among those detained during a chaotic scene in Humboldt Park was Ald. Jessie Fuentes of the 26th Ward, a community leader who has spoken out against the raids.
For many in Chicago’s LGBTQ community, especially queer immigrants and people of color, the escalation feels all too familiar. It recalls the raids of earlier Trump years when ICE agents targeted queer-friendly shelters and workplaces in Pilsen, Little Village, and Uptown.
Civil liberties under siege
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and ACLU of Illinois immediately condemned the deployment, calling it an unconstitutional misuse of federal power and a threat to communities of color and immigrants.
Under federal law, troops may not carry out domestic policing duties, yet the White House insists the Guard’s role will be “supportive.” The ACLU warns that in past deployments, the line between support and enforcement has often been crossed, leading to unlawful arrests and intimidation of residents.
The Illinois Trust Act, signed in 2017, prohibits local police from cooperating with ICE unless presented with a valid judicial warrant. Governor J.B. Pritzker and Attorney General Kwame Raoul have signaled they may challenge the President’s order in court.
LGBTQ immigrants especially vulnerable
Immigrants who are LGBTQ face heightened risks in detention and deportation. Many flee countries where being gay or transgender can mean imprisonment or death. According to Human Rights Watch, queer asylum seekers often face abuse and isolation in U.S. detention centers.
Chicago has long been a refuge for LGBTQ migrants, from the city’s trans-led mutual aid groups to queer-affirming faith communities like Edgewater Presbyterian Church and St. Luke’s Lutheran in Logan Square. These networks are once again mobilizing to provide safe housing, legal referrals, and emotional support.
Knowing your rights
The ACLU urges everyone, citizens and noncitizens alike, to know their rights when faced with ICE or military personnel at their door. People have the right to remain silent. They do not have to answer questions about where they were born or their immigration status. Those who wish to assert this right may say, “I choose to remain silent” or “I am exercising my right to remain silent.”
Individuals have the right to refuse consent to a search. Unless ICE or the Guard shows a valid judicial warrant, a person can say, “I do not consent to this search.” Even if officers proceed, clearly stating a refusal can help protect rights later.
People also have the right to film. They may record ICE or Guard personnel in public spaces as long as they do not interfere with their activities. Documentation of actions, badge numbers, and vehicles can be important for legal defense or accountability.
Everyone has the right to legal representation. If detained, a person may request to speak to a lawyer before answering any questions. No one should sign documents without understanding them or consulting an attorney.
Local organizations such as the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Centro Romero, and the TransLatin@ Coalition Chicago have activated hotlines and rapid response teams to report ICE sightings and support those affected.
A community that refuses to be silenced
From Andersonville to Pilsen, Chicago’s queer community has a long history of standing up to state violence, from the ACT UP protests of the 1980s to the Black Lives Matter marches of 2020. Many LGBTQ residents say this moment calls for the same unity. Faith leaders and community organizers are preparing to open sanctuary spaces and provide support for those affected by the raids.
What comes next
Civil rights groups expect a flurry of legal challenges in the coming days. The ACLU of Illinois is urging residents to document and report any instances of military involvement in arrests or deportations. The organization continues to stress that all government agents, regardless of uniform, are bound by the Constitution.
As Chicago braces for an uncertain week ahead, the LGBTQ community, from undocumented youth to longtime activists, is once again on the frontlines of the fight for justice.
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