DHS Closes Command Center At Naval Station In Lake County

NORTH CHICAGO, IL — More than two months after they set up shop in Lake County, the Department of Homeland Security has closed down its command center at Naval Station Great Lakes in North Chicago late last week

Gregory Jackson, chief of staff to North Chicago Mayor Leon Rockingham Jr., said DHS had vacated the property on Friday afternoon, according to media reports. Also over the weekend, border patrol commander Gregory Bovino reportedly left the city of Chicago as immigration enforcement started to get underway in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Naval Station Great Lakes provided logistical support for federal agents taking part in Operation Midway Blitz. In a Homeland Security statement released last week, the DHS referred to Operation Midway Blitz as a "historic win in the fight against violent illegal alien crimes."

"The operation targets criminal illegal aliens who flocked to Chicago and Illinois seeking protection under the sanctuary policies of Governor Pritzker," the statement read.

Since the start of Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago, DHS officials say:

• Homicides are down 16%
• Shootings are down 35% (the lowest in four years)
• Robberies are down 41%
• Carjackings are down 48%
• Transit crime is down 20%

“For decades, sanctuary policies exasperated the crime crisis in Chicago. Now thanks to our brave DHS law enforcement, Chicago is experiencing a historic drop in violent crime,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Since initiating Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago, homicides decreased 16%, shootings decreased 35%, robberies decreased 41%, vehicular carjackings decreased 48%, and transit crime decreased 20%. It’s common sense—when you remove the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from our country—crime rates plummet."

Federal agents began training for immigration raids in the Chicago area — using flash-bang grenades and other tactics meant to control crowds — in early September.

On September 4, the Pentagon approved the use of Great Lakes Naval Station as a hub for upcoming Department of Homeland Security operations and as a staging ground meant for launching operations against undocumented immigrants, according to the Washington Post.

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