ICE Chicago: Immigration raids could ramp up Saturday as agents set up at Naval Station Great Lakes in North Chicago, IL
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CHICAGO (WLS) — Communities across the Chicago area are preparing for an increase in immigration enforcement on Saturday.

Some 300 federal agents are using North Chicago’s Naval Station Great Lakes as the logistical hub for ramped-up operations, which are expected to begin on Saturday.

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Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, along with Congressman Brad Schneider, went to the Navy directly for answers on Friday.

They say the admiral-in-charge at Naval Station Great Lakes say Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Department of Homeland Security officials requested office space and parking at the base from Sept. 5 through Oct. 5.

The Navy agreed, but is not providing barracks or housing, nor are they allowing the federal agents to have lethal munitions on base.

The Illinois representatives say they tried to speak with DHS officials on base but with no luck.

SEE ALSO | Illinois audit finds Forest Park police shared license plate reader data with immigration officials

President Donald Trump says the surge in immigration enforcement activity in the Chicago area is about getting dangerous criminals off the streets.

Demonstrators could already be seen outside of a now-boarded up Broadview ICE facility on Friday. That facility is expected to be used as a processing center for operations every day for perhaps the next month-and-a-half.

Meanwhile, local communities are taking precautions ahead of the anticipated crackdown.

Wauconda is canceling its Latin Heritage Fest. Organizers say they know how meaningful the event is for the community, but they say safety needs to come first.

In Aurora, Fiestas Patrias is still on for this weekend. The city’s special events team said it is working closely with public safety departments to make sure it is safe for everyone.

READ MORE | Immigration arrests made at Cook County Domestic Violence Courthouse, officials say

In Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood, community leaders are urging people to continue to live their lives, but make a plan.

The Mexican Independence Parade in Little Village is still happening next weekend.

And Chicago educators are launching a new campaign to get information out to families as these operations begin.

A group of Chicago Public Schools teachers has been distributing so-called “defend your rights” flyers at schools across the city.

The Chicago Teachers Union says it will also activate teams to have a watchful presence around their schools.

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