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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
George Chidi

What can Trump do in his sanctuary cities crackdown – and what can’t he do?

close-up of ice badge clipped on man's belt and gun holstered
An Ice official speaks with the press on 8 September in Chicago, Illinois, as Donald Trump launched immigration operation. Photograph: Scott Olson/Getty Images

The Department of Homeland Security ramped up immigration raids in Illinois on Monday afternoon in an operation they dubbed “Midway Blitz”, a continuation of military-themed rhetoric promoting Donald Trump’s larger crackdown on sanctuary cities. Chicagoans have turned out by the thousands in protest against suggestions that the president would attempt to send national guard troops into the city, and in opposition to similar acts that courts have rules as illegal or unconstitutional.

“This ICE operation will target the criminal illegal aliens who flocked to Chicago and Illinois because they knew Governor Pritzker and his sanctuary policies would protect them and allow them to roam free on American streets,” the DHS said on X today. “President Trump and Secretary [Kristi] Noem stand with the victims of illegal alien crime while Governor [JB] Pritzker stands with criminal illegal aliens.”

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