Flash Bang Grenades Used In Training, Daily ICE Stings To Begin From IL Naval Base: Sources

GREAT LAKES, IL — Federal agents have begun training for immigration raids in the Chicago area — using flash-bang grenades and other tactics meant to control crowds — as daily early morning stings are expected to start this weekend, sources say.

The Pentagon on Thursday approved the use of Great Lakes Naval Station in Lake County 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.

• Related: Trump's Promised Immigration Crackdown In Chicago Could Last 6 Weeks, Suburban Official Says

Two defense officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told the Washington Post the naval station, located at 2601 Paul Jones St. in Great Lakes, could also possibly be used to house National Guard or active-duty service members. This could happen as President Donald Trump says he will deploy U.S. troops to Chicago as he did this past summer in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles, according to the Washington Post.

Early on Thursday afternoon, Patch.com readers said they'd already noticed signs of ICE in the far northern suburbs.

"I am local to Lake Bluff and know that ICE is already here. I took a picture of one of their vehicles yesterday, I noticed two very large men in the front," a Lake Bluff woman, who opted to remain anonymous, told Patch on Thursday afternoon. "Also today there seem to be a few more helicopters than normal heading that way."

She shared the photo of a Ford Exhibition with a government-issued/Department of Homeland Security license plate, which she spotted in Lake Bluff at about 12:05 p.m. on Thursday.

In total, 140 unmarked vehicles, which will be used in Trump-authorized operations, have been sent to the base as of Thursday, sources told the Chicago Sun-Times. The 230 agents who worked as part of immigration stings this past summer in Los Angeles were headed to Chicago and at least 30 had already at the Great Lakes Naval base as of Thursday where they worked on crowd control tactics by using shields and flash-bang grenades.

Trump's goal, he says, is to cut down on crime in the city of Chicago and round up illegal immigrants in the Chicago area.

• Trump’s Use Of National Guard In CA Immigration Operations And Protests Illegal, Judge Rules

During a press conference this past week, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said federal agents are expected to be "fully assembled" in the Chicago area on Friday.

He added, "they might not be in action on Friday," but "they could be."

• Related: IL Refuses To Give Feds Voters' Driver's License And Social Security Numbers

Pritzker urged residents to use their phones to video record any ICE action so "they know they are being watched."

"In any way that you can record what's going on in their neighborhoods by ICE because we think that is the best way to demonstrate what ICE is doing, if they are doing something wrong or to keep them honest and doing the right thing because they know they are being watched," he said.

On Wednesday, Pritzker also said he believes President Donald Trump is trying to set a legal trap by "begging" the governor to call him. "He wants to set into the fact pattern that the governor called him to ask for help," Pritzker said. "Why? Because he’s going to end up in court. He’s going to end up in court, and that will be a fact that they will use in court that the governor called to ask for help. And I’m sorry, I’m not going to provide him with evidence to support his desire to have the court rule in his favor. "

The comments from Pritzker come a day after a federal judge ruled Trump's administration violated federal law by sending National Guard troops to Southern California during the immigration enforcement operations and accompanying protests.

State, Local Officials Sound Off On ICE Operations

Local leaders wanted residents to know they would not take part in any military action or assist ICE agents.

"First and foremost, these activities are coordinated entirely at the federal level. Under Illinois law, local and state law enforcement agencies do not and will not participate in federal immigration enforcement," the statement read. "Immigration matters remain solely under federal jurisdiction, and our local resources remain focused on serving and protecting our residents."

They also want all, and especially immigrant families, to be prepared.

"We know that this situation may cause fear, especially for immigrant families," the joint statement from Lake County and the village of North Chicago read.

Leaders are urging residents to take the time to learn their rights under Illinois law ahead of this week. According to the Illinois Attorney General, if you are approached by an ICE agent, those rights include:

• You have the right to remain silent and you are not required to answer any questions. You may tell the police officer or immigration agent that you choose to remain silent.
• If you have any valid immigration documentation, such as a permanent resident card, an employment authorization card, or a certificate of naturalization, you may show your documentation to an immigration agent if the agent asks to see them.
• The officer or agent may pat you down if they believe you are carrying a weapon.

More information on your rights can be found on the Illinois Attorney General's website.

• 'Terror And Cruelty Is The Point': Pritzker Lashes Out Over Trump's Plan To Deploy Troops In Chicago

Lake County residents looking for useful information are urged to connect with "trusted organizations," such as the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic, Prairie State Legal Services and Mano-A-Mano Family Resource Center.

"These groups are available to provide guidance, resources and support during this time," according to the joint statement from Lake County and the village of north Chicago.

This Associated Press contributed to this article

This is a developing story. Check back for details.

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