WATCH: Noem says DHS ‘doubling down’ in Chicago

By Greg Bishop | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is getting more property in Chicago for federal law enforcement efforts, according to Secretary Kristi Noem.

DHS has been at the frontlines of enforcing federal immigration law in Chicago and the surrounding area, where violence against Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents has occurred. During a cabinet meeting Thursday, Noem told President Donlad Trump her agency is working to secure federal facilities after increased attacks on federal law enforcement.

“We saw the shooting in Dallas at that facility and so we’re hardening all of our buildings and making sure that we have more security measures, snipers on the roof, people to protect our law enforcement while they’re out there on the streets,” she said.

Noem was referring to a shooting last month when a sniper shot several people at a federal building that houses ICE’s Dallas Field Office and ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations-Dallas. Two people were transported to the hospital with gunshot wounds. One victim died at the scene. The suspect was killed.

Illinois prohibits the use of county jails and other non-federal property from contracting with federal immigration authorities to house detainees. ICE has a detention facility in Indiana with detainees from Illinois processed at the service processing center in the village of Broadview.

Illinois State Police have a unified command in Broadview, but say their public safety operations are separate from federal immigration enforcement.

Noem told President Donald Trump they’re buying more property.

“We’re purchasing more buildings in Chicago to operate out of,” Noem said. “We’re gonna not back off. In fact, we’re doubling down and we’re going to be in more parts of Chicago in response to the people there.”

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson recently made the city an “ICE-free zone” through executive order, limiting where immigration enforcement activity can be staged.

While Chicago officials say they have crime under control, Trump told his cabinet that’s not the case.

“I looked at crime numbers in Chicago, they’re through the roof, and I have a governor, stands up every day and tells us how wonderful Chicago is, and it’s just a lie,” Trump said. “It’s just a con job.”