By Prime Path Immigration Law Firm Limited USA, on Immigration Updates
Hundreds of Texas National Guard soldiers have been deployed in Illinois, with Governor Greg Abbott’s approval, to support federal immigration enforcement efforts under the Trump administration. This move comes amid an aggressive ICE crackdown in Chicago, where over 1,000 undocumented immigrants have been apprehended in the past month. The deployment has sparked backlash from Illinois officials, immigrant rights advocates, and Democratic lawmakers, who argue that the action is unlawful and infringes on state sovereignty Despite protests and legal challenges, a federal judge has so far declined to block the deployment.
The use of the Texas National Guard outside its home state is part of a broader strategy by President Trump to intensify immigration enforcement. Governor Abbott’s support reflects a continuation of his hardline immigration policies, such as Operation Lone Star. Critics warn that using troops in this manner risks setting a dangerous precedent and may violate constitutional limits, especially if the Insurrection Act of 1807 is invoked to justify military enforcement of civilian laws. The exact role and cost of the Guard’s deployment in Illinois remains unclear, with the Pentagon withholding a response to a request for comment.
For more information on this, and other immigration matters, contact the attorneys at Prime Path Immigration Law Firm Limited USA today.
Reference:
Alejandro Serrano and Alex Nguyen, With the Texas National Guard Now in Illinois, Here’s What You Need to Know about the Unit, The Texas Tribune, (Oct. 8, 2025), https://www.texastribune.org/2025/10/08/texas-national-guard-abbott-deployment-chicago/.
