Editor’s note: The latest story on Mayor Brandon Johnson’s efforts to resist President Donald Trump and Saturday’s executive order can be found here.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order on Saturday afternoon regarding federal immigration enforcement and President Donald Trump’s threat to deploy the National Guard as part of a crackdown on crime.

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Two federal law enforcement officials have told NBC News that ICE, Border Patrol and other agencies will send numerous agents and equipment to the city in an effort to increase arrests of undocumented immigrants. The operation could begin as soon as next week.

Government officials and locals alike are divided on the question of whether the National Guard should be sent to Chicago — and whether the potential deployment would be legal. NBC Chicago’s Mary Ann Ahern has the latest.

After federal requests in recent weeks, the operating base for the enforcement actions is expected to be Naval Station Great Lakes, with the New York Times reporting that more than 200 federal agents and more than 100 vehicles will be part of the operation.

It’s unclear how long the scaled-up operations will last, or if the plan includes the National Guard, according to officials.

Tom Homan, border czar for President Donald Trump’s White House, said that the administrations of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson have led to the Trump administration making the move.

“All these sanctuary cities that refuse to work with ICE, where we know public safety threats are being released every day into this country — especially those cities — we’re going to address that. We don’t have that problem in Texas and Florida, where all the sheriffs are working with us,” Homan said.

Johnson called news of the ramped up immigration crackdown “deeply concerning.” The city has developed and is distributing a “Family Preparedness Campaign” to help families “plan for potential separation” with guidance for talking to family members, gathering critical documents, attending planned workshops and seeking help from Congress, consulates and immigrant advocacy groups.

“We reject any attempts to put Chicagoans in danger as a means of furthering the president’s political ends…,” Johnson said in a statement. “Sending in militarized immigration enforcement will only cause chaos and fear in our communities.”