(NewsNation) — Protests continued outside an ICE processing facility near Chicago on Friday, after a federal judge partially blocked National Guard troops from deploying in Illinois.
The partial restraining order from U.S. District Judge April Perry is temporary and will remain in effect for two weeks, until Oct. 23. The ruling stated that President Donald Trump did not meet the requirements to federalize troops in Chicago. Perry said there was “no credible evidence” of rebellion and that deploying troops could “only add fuel to the fire.”
The decision comes amid ongoing protests at a federal immigration processing facility in the suburb of Broadview, Illinois. Demonstrators have been calling for more transparency and accountability from federal agents at the facility.
Illinois State Police are currently on the scene in their riot gear as well as Cook County Sheriff’s Office. At least two people have been briefly detained by the Broadview Police Department, before being released with citations after gathering outside of newly designated protest times between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
„I was sitting on a concrete block by myself. I was had no sign, wasn’t saying anything, and the guy said to disperse,“ Stuart Smith told NewsNation. „And I just sat there, and I said, all I’m doing is enjoying the sunrise. And then they arrested me.“
Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson defended the enforcement of protest hours in an interview with NewsNation Live, stating that it was necessary out of respect for the residents nearby.
„I’m in a position that every decision that I have to make, people are not going to like,“ Thompson said. „And they don’t live here and it’s clear that he does not live in the Village of Broadview.“
In her ruling, Perry cited four instances that cast doubt on the Department of Homeland Security’s account of events in Broadview, where police say the protests — unlike in weeks past — have remained small and mostly peaceful.
However, officials said 500 National Guardsmen have already been deployed for 60 days to protect federal officers and property, including the Broadview facility. The future is unclear for those troops, who are stationed at a nearby Army Reserve base.
„They’re welcome to stay at our hotels if they pay the hotel rate. They’re welcome to eat at our restaurants like any other American citizen,” said Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul. “Our decision is one on their behalf as well, that they should not be turned against the very citizens that they volunteered to protect.“
Raoul said the state of Illinois was not in the business of armed removal of the National Guard.
The judge is expected to issue her full written opinion on Friday, and the Justice Department has already said it would appeal the ruling. Illinois officials said they wanted the order to make clear that any state’s National Guard is covered, and to prevent a repeat of Portland, Oregon, where California troops were sent.
A three-judge panel in Portland heard arguments Thursday but did not set a timeline for a decision. Two of the judges, appointed by Trump, questioned whether the evidence was sufficient to justify federalizing the National Guard, noting that Trump relied on June reports to support actions taken in September.
The two appeared inclined to lift the current temporary restraining order blocking troop deployments to Oregon. Legal analysts told NewsNation a decision could come as early as this weekend, with both cases likely to have a defining impact on how far a president can go in using the National Guard on U.S. soil.
