Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has rejected a request from Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker to suspend Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in the state during Halloween weekend, setting off a new clash over immigration enforcement and public safety in Chicago.

Pritzker announced earlier on Thursday that he had formally asked the Department of Homeland Security to place a temporary pause on what he called “immigration enforcement activities.” According to the governor, his aim was to ensure that children in Chicago could celebrate Halloween without fear, suggesting that federal agents were contributing to an atmosphere of unease. His request implied that ICE’s presence might cause anxiety among families, particularly those in mixed-status or undocumented households.

However, Secretary Noem dismissed the proposal during an interview on Fox News, calling it misguided and arguing that pausing enforcement would undermine safety rather than enhance it. She emphasized that ICE’s current focus is on individuals who pose serious threats—not families out trick-or-treating.

“No, we’re not suspending operations,” Noem said firmly. “In fact, we’ll be increasing our presence. Every day in Chicago, our agents are arresting individuals involved in murder, child exploitation, assault, and other crimes that devastate families. Our goal is to make sure kids can enjoy the holiday without becoming victims of dangerous offenders who shouldn’t be on the streets in the first place.”

Noem added that keeping enforcement active over the holiday weekend would protect communities, not frighten them. “We’re going to be out there so children can safely enjoy time with their families. We’re not targeting kids—we’re protecting them from predators and violent criminals who are in this country illegally.”

Her comments come amid growing tension between Chicago officials and the Trump administration regarding federal involvement in the city. Chicago has faced surges of unrest and clashes between protesters, local activists, and federal authorities in recent weeks, prompting sharp political divides over how law enforcement should respond.

Earlier this month, Chicago Alderman Ray Lopez, a Democrat representing the city’s 15th Ward, publicly supported President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy additional federal personnel. His position stands in stark contrast to statements from Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor Pritzker, both of whom accused the administration of escalating conflict by increasing the federal presence.

Lopez said the reaction from many residents in his ward does not align with the city’s top leadership. “Absolutely not,” he told Fox News when asked if his constituents agreed with the mayor and governor. “There are a lot of people who support having more resources on the ground. They want ICE agents and community members to be protected. They want order, not chaos.”

The alderman accused Chicago’s leadership of resisting federal help not on principle, but to preserve political narratives. “We’ve seen a complete abdication of responsibility,” Lopez said. “The governor and the mayor have repeatedly refused to allow police and federal personnel to simply keep the peace. Chicagoans want a return to sanity, and many of them welcome the effort to restore safety.”

Tensions intensified after President Trump ordered 300 members of the Texas National Guard to reinforce federal agents in Illinois, following a series of violent confrontations. In one incident, federal officers were surrounded and rammed by a group of far-left activists, one of whom was reportedly armed. A federal judge has since issued a temporary block on the National Guard deployment, though the administration argues the mission—called the Federal Protection Mission—is necessary to safeguard federal property and personnel.

Despite the court order, Washington has increased its presence of ICE, Customs and Border Protection, and other federal agencies tasked with detention and deportation. The move comes after repeated unrest outside a federal facility in Broadview, Illinois, which has become a hotspot for anti-ICE protests. Agents there have faced daily confrontations ranging from vandalism and property damage to attempts to obstruct enforcement vehicles.

The situation has spilled into local politics as well. Several Democratic candidates competing for an open congressional seat in the Chicago area have posted videos of themselves blocking or attempting to impede federal vehicles. One candidate, progressive activist Kat Abughazaleh, was indicted earlier this week for interfering with federal agents during one of the confrontations.

As the dispute continues, both state and federal officials appear dug into their positions—Illinois leadership calling for reduced federal presence, and the Trump administration insisting that enforcement must continue, especially during holidays when public safety concerns rise.