WATCH: Pritzker ‘unafraid’ as immigration actions, deportation flights begin | Illinois

(The Center Square) – The White House says deportation flights have begun. In Illinois, the Pritzker administration is conducting a “know-your-rights” campaign for foreign nationals in the country illegally.

At an unrelated event Friday, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said they’re working across state agencies to promote the “know-your-rights” campaign.

“Making sure people know what they should do if an agent shows up and asks them for a proof of citizenship and a proof of residency,” Pritzker said.

He’s not aware of the Trump administration communicating with state agencies, Pritzker said.

“And so it’s a challenge, but we’re communicating with all of our agencies and making sure that again ‘know your rights’ is really what we’re trying to communicate to all the parents,” Pritzker said.

The governor reiterated that he thinks violent criminal illegal immigrants should be deported but continued to vow protection for those living mostly law-abiding lives in Illinois. As for possibly running afoul of federal law, Pritzker said he’s not scared.

“I’m unafraid,” Pritzker said. “I know what my job is. I’m going to protect the people of Illinois, I’m gonna do what’s right. I’m going to make sure that [Trump] is following the law, that the federal government is following the law, and that we’re following the law.”

Speaking remotely to the World Economic Forum Thursday, President Donald Trump said his administration is bringing a “revolution of common sense.”

“My administration is acting with unprecedented speed to fix the disasters we’ve inherited from a totally inept group of people,” Trump said, referring to the administration of his predecessor, Joe Biden.

Under the Biden administration, millions of non-citizens crossed the southern U.S. border. More than 50,000 of them were transported from overburdened border communities to Chicago with migrant sanctuary policies in place.

Under the Trump administration, which took office Jan. 20, Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced within the first three days that they made more than 530 arrests and lodged 373 detainers.

Friday morning, the White House said deportation flights have begun.

“President Trump is sending a strong and clear message to the entire world: if you illegally enter the United States of America, you will face severe consequences,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote on X.

Illinois U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, R-Hindsboro, said “Every illegal alien in the United States must be deported.”

“Americans deserve to be safe in our country,” Miller said.

She posted on social media a message thanking Trump and his border czar, Tom Homan, “for taking immediate action to secure our communities from violent foreign criminals.”

ICE says on its website the agency’s Enforcement and Removal Operations workforce consists of more than 7,700 law enforcement and non-law enforcement support personnel across 25 domestic field offices and 208 locations nationwide, 30 overseas postings and multiple temporary duty travel assignments along the border.

“Members of the public who have information about foreign fugitives are urged to contact ICE by calling the ICE Tip Line at 1 (866) 347-2423 or internationally at 001-1802-872-6199,” the agency said. “They can also file a tip online by completing ICE’s online tip form.”