Immigration raid in Chicago results in over 400 arrests, according to an official statement
In a move aimed at intensifying immigration enforcement, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), launched Operation 'Midway Blitz' in the Chicago region on September 8, 2025. The operation, which has been ongoing since then, has sparked controversy and concerns among activists, immigrant communities, and local officials.
More than 400 people have been arrested as part of this operation, with collateral arrests being resumed by the Trump administration. Collateral arrests are made during ICE operations on individuals who are in the country illegally but are not the specific targets of the operation. These policies, according to ICE, are necessary to apprehend immigrants who have committed crimes and can be deported, as they have been released into the community due to policies during the Biden administration.
However, the operation has been marred by allegations of excessive force and heavy-handed dragnets. A man was shot by an ICE officer on September 12 after authorities said he tried to flee during a traffic stop. Additionally, two U.S. citizens were briefly detained this week by federal officers focused on immigration enforcement.
The Trump administration had promised to send an influx of immigration agents and National Guard troops to Chicago, but a military deployment has yet to materialize. Local leaders and residents have expressed objections to the enforcement surge in Chicago, fearing it could make it less likely for immigrants who are victims or witnesses to crime to come forward to work with the police.
The operation, dubbed "Midway Blitz," was launched in response to months of criticism of Chicago and Illinois over policies that restrict law enforcement cooperation with ICE. The operation is expected to continue until ICE feels successful, with no end date specified.
The uptick in immigration enforcement agents has drawn concerns from activists and immigrant communities, leading to protests and calls for transparency and accountability from ICE and the DHS. Local officials have echoed these concerns, emphasizing the need for sensitive and respectful treatment of all community members, regardless of immigration status.
As the operation continues, it remains to be seen how it will impact the Chicago community and the broader immigration landscape in the United States.
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