Temporary Fencing Erected at Dirksen Federal Building as Chicago Braces for Protests and Federal Troop Deployment

Chicago, IL – September 5, 2025 – Overnight, 10-foot-high metal fencing reinforced with concrete barriers was installed around the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in downtown Chicago, signaling heightened security measures in anticipation of protests and a significant deployment of federal troops in the city. The fencing, encircling the federal building at 219 S. Dearborn St., was erected as part of preparations for a planned immigration enforcement operation led by the Trump administration, which has sparked local opposition and planned demonstrations.

The security measures come in response to President Donald Trump’s directive to deploy approximately 300 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and other federal resources to the Chicago area, with the Naval Station Great Lakes in the north suburbs serving as a headquarters for the operation. The administration has also raised the possibility of deploying National Guard troops to assist in immigration enforcement and to address what Trump has described as rampant crime in Chicago, despite recent data showing a steady decline in violent crime in the city.

Local officials, including Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, have expressed concern over the lack of clear communication from federal authorities regarding the scope and objectives of the deployment. “There has been nothing official in communication with the state,” Pritzker stated on Thursday, noting that the federal operation was expected to commence early Saturday morning. The deployment has drawn criticism from state and local leaders, who argue it represents an overreach of federal authority and could escalate tensions in the city.

The Coalition Against the Trump Agenda, a local activist group, has announced plans for a large-scale protest this weekend at Congress Plaza, just blocks from the Dirksen Federal Building. The group aims to march through downtown Chicago to oppose what they describe as “Trump’s plan to unleash federal troops” in the city. Federal Plaza, located across from the courthouse, has long been a focal point for protests challenging Trump administration policies, particularly on immigration.

The fencing at the Dirksen Courthouse, which houses U.S. District and bankruptcy courts, is designed to provide added protection in the event of unrest. Visitors to the building are being directed to a single entrance at the northeast corner of Dearborn and Monroe streets, with no additional visible security measures reported inside the courthouse as of Friday morning. Similar fencing was used during last year’s Democratic National Convention, when the courthouse implemented stringent security protocols, including ID checks and screening processes.

The deployment of federal troops has raised legal and ethical questions, particularly in light of a recent federal court ruling in California. On Tuesday, Judge Charles Breyer ruled that the Trump administration’s deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles to accompany ICE agents during immigration raids violated the Posse Comitatus Act, a 1878 law limiting the use of military forces in domestic law enforcement. The ruling, which has been paused pending an appeal, has fueled debate over the legality of similar deployments in other cities, including Chicago.

As Chicago prepares for potential protests, the city remains on edge. Community leaders and activists are calling for peaceful demonstrations, while federal and local law enforcement agencies are coordinating to maintain order. The Dirksen Federal Building, a frequent site of rallies and demonstrations, stands as a symbol of the broader tensions surrounding the administration’s immigration policies and the use of federal forces in urban centers.

17GEN4.com

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