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The mayor of Chicago has signed an executive order aimed at blocking cooperation with a potential federal immigration crackdown ordered by President Donald Trump.

Some shit you should know before you read: If you’re unaware, multiple reports have emerged indicating that President Trump is preparing to deploy federal immigration agents and possibly National Guard troops into Chicago as early as next week, citing what he calls an urgent need to address the city’s crime and immigration issues. Trump has repeatedly referred to Chicago as a “mess” and a “killing field,” claiming that Democratic leadership has failed to control violence and criminal activity. His administration argues that the city’s ongoing gun violence, including more than 30 people being shot in a single night over Labor Day weekend, justifies immediate federal intervention. Critics push back on that narrative, pointing to official data from the Chicago Police Department showing that overall crime has decreased by 15% since 2023, with shootings and homicides down nearly 38% compared to the previous year.

Getting into it: The executive order, signed by Mayor Brandon Johnson, instructs all Chicago city departments and law enforcement agencies to refrain from participating in any federal immigration enforcement activities, including joint patrols, arrest operations, or surveillance coordinated by federal agents. It also bars local officers from assisting federal agencies such as ICE or the National Guard in immigration crackdowns and prohibits city personnel from supporting enforcement actions that could infringe on residents’ rights to protest or assemble.

The order also mandates that Chicago police officers wear body cameras, display clear identification, and avoid face coverings (measures aimed at distinguishing local officers from often-anonymous federal agents who have been criticized for concealing their identities during raids in other cities).

In addition to operational restrictions, the order commits city departments to pursue all available legal and legislative avenues to challenge any unconstitutional actions taken by the federal government within city limits. Mayor Johnson stressed the urgency of the measure, citing concerns that militarized immigration enforcement operations could target Chicago in the next few days.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker echoed the mayor’s concerns and voiced strong opposition to any federal attempt to deploy troops without state approval. Calling Trump’s threats a “blatant abuse of power,” Pritzker accused the administration of using law enforcement as a political weapon and warned that bypassing state and local authorities would undermine constitutional norms.