Federal officials requested limited support from Naval Station Great Lakes to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement with facilities, infrastructure and logistical needs for enforcement actions targeting undocumented immigrants. No approval decision has been made; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth holds authority. Hegseth has pledged Pentagon cooperation and previously approved using other bases to build detention facilities. The White House is pushing expanded ICE operations, with Stephen Miller urging 3,000 arrests per day, a strategy that has strained DHS, prompted public outcry and spawned legal battles. DHS frames deployments as part of a push for safer cities, and Secretary Kristi L. Noem announced an "ICE strike team" will arrive in Chicago soon.
Officials at Naval Station Great Lakes on Wednesday acknowledged having received a request from the Department of Homeland Security that seeks "limited support" for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, whose aggressive tactics under the current administration have drawn outrage from opponents of President Donald Trump. The base, a hub for recruit training, would provide "facilities, infrastructure, and other logistical needs" if the request is granted, defense officials said in a statement.
No decisions to approve access have been made, officials said. That responsibility lies with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who since taking office in January has eagerly pledged the Pentagon's full cooperation as DHS and its agents search for, detain and remove undocumented immigrants. He has approved the use of other military bases to build detention facilities for people in DHS custody.
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