On the cusp of autumn 2025, two major American cities—Chicago and New York—find themselves at the heart of national debates, each grappling with the far-reaching impact of federal policy decisions under former President Donald Trump. While Chicago steels itself against a potential federal incursion involving immigration agents and even troops, New York faces a steep decline in Canadian tourism, a casualty of ongoing trade tensions and tariffs. The stories unfolding in these cities reveal the complex interplay between federal actions, local resistance, and the economic pulse of urban America.
In Chicago, anticipation is mounting as the city prepares for what many believe will be a Trump-ordered deployment of federal immigration agents, and possibly federal troops. The mood is one of defiance. As reported by USA TODAY, the city’s leaders, advocacy groups, and residents are united in their opposition to any such intervention. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker minced no words recently, stating, "The intentions here are clear. Nothing to do with actually enforcing the law, nothing to do with actually keeping the peace. They want to inflame something. That is what they want." His remarks reflect a widespread sentiment that the rumored federal action is less about law enforcement and more about stoking political divisions.
Mayor Brandon Johnson has taken a firm stand, signing an executive order that explicitly states Chicago police "will not cooperate with or enable any unlawful or unconstitutional actions undertaken by federal law enforcement." This move is emblematic of the city’s long-standing tradition of resistance and protest. Chicagoans, after all, have a history of rising up against perceived overreach, from the 19th-century clashes between German immigrants and city authorities to the riots during the 1968 Democratic National Convention and the mass protests against anti-immigration policies in 2006 and 2025.
For many Chicagoans, the threat of federal intervention is not just a political issue but a deeply personal one. The city’s activist networks are already mobilizing, determined to place "wrenches in the gears of Trump’s intimidation machine," as USA TODAY columnist Rex Huppke put it. The Rev. Tyrone McGowan of Progressive Community Church, quoted by WBEZ Chicago, captured the spirit of the city: "We are rising, rising not because of soldiers and military occupation, but because of neighbors and organizers, health care professionals, educators, pastors and parents, young people and elders who decide to choose peace."
Despite the rhetoric from Trump and his allies about violent crime in Chicago, recent data tells a different story. According to the most recent ICE statistics cited by USA TODAY, 70% of those in ICE or U.S. Customs and Border Protection custody have no felony conviction. Furthermore, crime in Chicago has dropped sharply, with a 32% decrease in homicides and nearly a 40% drop in shootings. In fact, among U.S. cities with populations over 100,000, Chicago does not even rank in the top 10 for violent crime per capita. The myth of Chicago as a violent "hellscape," as some have put it, is more political theater than reality.
As Chicago braces for what many see as an unnecessary and provocative show of federal force, New York is facing its own set of challenges—this time economic. The city and surrounding regions, especially Western New York, are feeling the sting of a trade war with Canada. New tariffs, combined with a less favorable exchange rate—$1 USD now equals $1.38 Canadian—have made travel to the U.S. more expensive for Canadians. The result? A dramatic drop in Canadian visitors, who traditionally account for 35% to 40% of Western New York’s tourism revenue.
According to data reported by City & State, in July 2025 there were just 1.7 million border crossings from Canada to the U.S., down 22% from the previous year. New York City itself expects a 10% decrease in Canadian visitors this year. The impact is felt acutely at local attractions. Governor Kathy Hochul shared a personal anecdote earlier this month: "I said to the leadership at Explore & More – an extraordinary children’s museum – I said, ‘What’s it been like for you?’ He says, ‘We’re devastated. We used to get 1,400 Canadians visiting every month, now it’s 40.’"
The decline in cross-border tourism is not just a matter of lost revenue; it’s a rupture in the longstanding relationship between New Yorkers and their Canadian neighbors. A Pew Research Center survey in July found that only 34% of Canadians now have a favorable opinion of the U.S.—a historic low—while 59% view the U.S. as their country’s largest threat. President Trump’s offhand reference to Canada as "the 51st state" has certainly not helped matters, but the deeper issue, as 77% of Canadians see it, is the economic harm the U.S. can inflict.
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has been vocal in his criticism of the Trump administration’s trade policies. "Upstate NY’s Main Streets are paying the price for Trump’s tariffs with higher costs and fewer tourists. New York wants to welcome our Canadian friends with open arms, but Trump has crushed NY’s summer tourism industry by driving them away with his reckless trade war with Canada," Schumer said in June. He highlighted that since Trump took office, there have been over 2 million fewer travelers crossing the Upstate NY-Canada border, with nearly 500,000 fewer in July 2025 alone.
Despite these setbacks, there are signs of resilience. Mark Dorr, president of the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association, noted that the state’s tourism industry is nearing a return to pre-pandemic levels. July 2025 saw hotel occupancy rates flat compared to July 2024, with average daily rates up 4%. However, the pain is not evenly distributed. Regions close to the Canadian border, like the North Country and Western New York, are bearing the brunt of the downturn. As Dorr explained, marketing efforts have shifted away from Canada and toward domestic tourists, a pragmatic response to the chilly cross-border sentiment. "In marketing to those Canadian visitors, because of the feelings between the two, they’ve really scaled back their marketing efforts there because they get some negative feedback, like, ‘Hey, we’re not coming no matter what. So stop marketing here,’" Dorr told City & State.
For many New Yorkers, the loss of Canadian visitors is more than just an economic blow—it’s a reminder of the fragile bonds that connect neighboring countries. "What will it take to get things back on track? We love you. It wasn’t us, it was him," Governor Hochul said, expressing a sentiment that resonates with many on both sides of the border.
As Chicago stands ready to resist federal intervention and New York adapts to shifting economic winds, both cities exemplify the enduring spirit of American urban life: resilient, adaptive, and unafraid to push back against forces—federal or foreign—that threaten their communities. The months ahead will test that spirit, but history suggests both cities are more than up to the challenge.
