Identified in Chicago region by ICE: Whom Do They Represent?
In a series of arrests, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has targeted alleged criminals living illegally in Chicago suburbs as part of Operation Midway Blitz.
The operation, which began on September 6, has seen the arrest of at least half a dozen men, all allegedly from Venezuela or Mexico, according to DHS. One of these individuals is Aldo Salazar Bahena, a man convicted of murder in 2005 and released from Statesville Correctional Center four days ago.
Acting ICE Director Todd M. Lyons stated that Salazar Bahena was locked away in one of Illinois' maximum-security prisons for two decades for murder. State officials, however, refused to transfer him directly to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody after his release. The Illinois Department of Corrections did not respond to questions about Salazar Bahena's release.
On Monday, ICE announced the arrest of Salazar Bahena. The arrest was captured in a video posted by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. In the video, Secretary Noem is seen boarding an ICE vehicle for the operation.
Another individual arrested was Jose Morales, known by Vanessa Morales-Coix as "Chilez." Agents arrested Morales early Tuesday morning in Elgin, Illinois. The arrest of Morales was also captured in a video posted by Secretary Noem. Morales has lived in Elgin with his cousin for a long time.
U.S. Representative Lauren Underwood (D) was told by ICE leadership that they had arrested 250 people since Operation Midway Blitz began. People who are arrested will be held in Indiana and Wisconsin, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
The special agents deployed in Operation Midway Blitz in Illinois and Lake County, Indiana, were members of the FBI's Chicago Field Office and Indiana's Lake County Sheriff's Department. DHS named and pictured at least half a dozen men in its first release announcing the Chicago operation.
However, the I-team could not find a single record of any conviction connected to the names listed by DHS. ICE and other federal agencies may pursue individuals who are not U.S. citizens or not lawfully in the United States, even if they were not charged locally.
DHS said Cook County failed to honor immigration detainers, releasing these men. This claim was not immediately verified. Vanessa Morales-Coix confirmed that Jose Morales had a work permit.
The operation will include all of Illinois and Lake County, Indiana, according to Rep. Underwood. Few details were provided by ICE and other federal agencies on who they are targeting for immigration enforcement.
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