Chicago — Two Illinois Nationwide Guard members instructed CBS Information they might refuse to obey federal orders to deploy in Chicago as a part of President Trump’s controversial immigration enforcement mission — a uncommon act of open defiance from inside the army ranks.
“It is disheartening to be compelled to go towards your neighborhood members and your neighbors,” stated Workers Sgt. Demi Palecek, a Latina guardswoman and state legislative candidate from Illinois’s thirteenth District. “It feels unlawful. This isn’t what we signed as much as do.”
Each Palecek and Capt. Dylan Blaha, who’s operating for Congress in the identical district, described rising unease amongst Guard members after the White Home federalized 500 troops – together with members of the Illinois and Texas Nationwide Guard – to safe federal immigration amenities and personnel within the Chicago space.
“I signed as much as defend the American individuals and shield the Structure,” Blaha stated. “When we now have someone in energy who’s actively dismantling our rights — free speech, due course of, freedom of the press — it is actually laborious to be a soldier proper now.”
Photograph supplied by Dylan Blaha
Refusing a lawful federal order whereas serving within the Nationwide Guard can typically end in court-martial, imprisonment, or a felony-level discharge, relying on who issued the order, whether or not the soldier is below state or federal management and the character of the disobedience. When contacted by CBS Information, the Protection Division declined remark.
Palecek says members of army are “getting used as pawns”
Requested if she would refuse a direct order to deploy to Chicago, Palecek did not hesitate. “Completely. I might undoubtedly say no,” she stated. “I am not going to go towards my neighborhood members, my household and my tradition. I consider that is the time to be on the fitting facet of historical past.”
“Have a look at Nineteen Thirties, Nineteen Forties Germany,” Blaha stated. “There’s a level the place in the event you did not stand as much as the Gestapo, are you simply actively one among them now?”
A federal decide on Wednesday delayed the deployment of the Nationwide Guard in Chicago indefinitely, till a ultimate ruling is issued or the Supreme Court docket guidelines on the matter.
Photograph supplied by Demi Palacek 
The 2 guardsmen accused the Trump administration of weaponizing the army towards civilians below the guise of public security. “They’re undoubtedly getting used as pawns,” Palecek stated.
Blaha agreed, saying most Guard models “prepare to combat and win our nation’s wars,” and they don’t help regulation enforcement or Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “We’re not skilled to help ICE and assist them simply be violent in our communities,” he stated, calling it “shameful.”
The pair famous that Guard members at the moment mobilized in Illinois are on 29-day orders — too brief to qualify for full advantages. “They are not even getting paid proper now due to the federal government shutdown,” Blaha added. “Most do not wish to be there. They’re scared, too.”
Fears for immigrant service members
Roughly 200 inexperienced card holders serve within the Illinois Nationwide Guard – with 160 authorized everlasting residents within the state’s Military Nationwide Guard and 30 within the state’s Air Nationwide Guard.
“They’re in sheer panic,” Palecek stated. “They’re selecting between standing up for his or her neighborhood or dropping every part — their authorized standing, their path to citizenship.”
U.S. federal regulation usually prohibits undocumented immigrants from enlisting within the U.S. Armed Forces, together with the Military Nationwide Guard and Air Nationwide Guard. However for inexperienced card holders, army service might help expedite U.S. citizenship below longstanding federal packages.
Applications like Parole in Place exist to guard members of the family of service members from deportation and assist them regulate standing, however contributors say functions have been slowed or outright denied in latest months, leaving households in authorized limbo.
“I utilized for parole in place,” Palecek instructed CBS Information. “And [my application] has not been in a position to undergo.”
“Everybody says, ‘Why do not they do it the fitting method?'” Palecek continued, providing a sentiment typically voiced by these condemning unlawful immigration. “However they’re doing it the fitting method,” Palecek stated.
Retribution of their ranks
Each Blaha and Palecek stated they’ve confronted retaliation for talking publicly. Blaha disclosed that his safety clearance was suspended by the Protection Division after posting a viral video urging troopers to disobey illegal orders. “They twisted my phrases,” he stated. “I’ve about 30 days with the intention to present them with a written response.”
Retribution, Palecek added, is “actual.” She’s obtained dying threats since denouncing the deployments and launching her political marketing campaign. “It weighs on you mentally after some time,” she stated.
Nonetheless, each say silence just isn’t an possibility. “We had been skilled to face up for what we consider in and arise for the American individuals,” Blaha stated.
“Right this moment it is Chicago. Tomorrow it might be someplace else.”
Palecek, who as soon as served in energetic obligation, stated the present mission has made her ashamed of her uniform. “I have been actually happy with what I have been in a position to do within the army,” she stated. “And proper now I hate saying I am within the army. It is embarrassing.”
Each see a harmful precedent in deploying federal troops to U.S. cities. “It is a sluggish normalization of utilizing the army in American cities,” Blaha stated. “If he declares martial regulation sufficient occasions, individuals will begin to suppose it is OK.”
A majority of People oppose Mr. Trump’s deployment of the Nationwide Guard to U.S. cities as a part of his crime crackdown, according to a September CBS News poll. However nonetheless, roughly 42% of People polled expressed assist for sending members of the Nationwide Guard to cities nationwide.
A CBS News analysis of FBI and Chicago Police Division knowledge from 2024 discovered Chicago’s violent crime is down double-digit proportion factors up to now in 2025 in comparison with 2024. Amongst American cities with populations of 100,000 or extra, Chicago ranks eightieth general for violent crime per capita.
When requested to explain what America seems like with a federalized Nationwide Guard presence nationwide, Blaha replied: “Unsafe.” Palecek supplied: “Disgusting.”
“They’re coming after communities which have constructed this nation,” Palecek added. “For use towards my tradition, my neighborhood, my neighbors — that is vile and disgusting to me.”
The 2 troopers say they’re talking out to warn the remainder of the nation. “Right this moment it is Chicago. Tomorrow it might be someplace else,” Blaha stated. “We have to fight the misinformation and stand as much as Donald Trump. Crime is down. This isn’t about security — it is about management.”
