Appeals court rules National Guard troops in Illinois can remain federalized but blocks deployment

In a significant development in the legal battle between Illinois and the Trump administration, a federal appeals court ruled Saturday that National Guard troops stationed in the state will remain federalized but cannot be deployed during the ongoing appeal process.

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruling temporarily overrides part of a lower court's earlier ruling, which had blocked troop deployments for a two-week period. 

Chicago leaders have accused President Donald Trump of overstepping his authority by sending National Guard units to monitor protests outside of Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities in the Democratic-led city.

According to the court’s brief order, “members of the National Guard do not need to return to their home states unless further ordered by a court to do so.” 

As of Wednesday, US Northern Command said there were 300 members of the Illinois National Guard and 200 members of the Texas National Guard activated under Title 10 in the Chicago area.