ICE Requests National Guard support in Chicago Following Arrests, Sparking Concerns of Overreach
CHICAGO – U.S.Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has requested National Guard troops be deployed to Chicago amid heightened tensions following a series of high-profile immigration enforcement operations, dubbed the “Midway Blitz,” and allegations of aggressive tactics by federal agents. The request comes as Illinois governor JB Pritzker and local advocates accuse ICE of targeting innocent community members and escalating fears within immigrant neighborhoods.
The recent ICE operations have resulted in numerous arrests throughout the Chicago area. DHS officials maintain the operations are focused on detaining individuals with criminal records, citing arrests of individuals accused of crimes including sexual abuse of a child, domestic violence, and battery.
However, community members and Governor Pritzker dispute this claim. “They’re not targeting violent criminals or gang members,” Pritzker stated.”They’re targeting tamale vendors.”
Examples cited by supporters include the detention of Laura Murillo, a well-known tamale vendor on Chicago’s South Side, who was detained on September 25. The September 12 fatal shooting of Silverio Villegas González, a Mexican immigrant, by an immigration agent after dropping his sons off at school has further fueled outrage.
Concerns have also been raised regarding the tactics employed by federal agents. The Broadview Police Department is investigating reports of federal agents firing crowd control weapons at a news reporter’s vehicle. Homeland Security officials have not responded to repeated requests for comment regarding the inquiry.
Eréndira Rendon, a prominent Chicago-area immigration advocate and native of Mexico, expressed the fear felt within the community. “If you look like me, you are in danger,” Rendon said, breaking down in tears while reading a list of names of those detained by immigration agents on September 29. ”DHS terrorizes our communities and showcases our pain on social media.”
Data from the cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, indicates that in fiscal year 2025, 65% of immigration detainees have no criminal convictions, and 93% have no violent convictions.
The request for National Guard support has intensified the debate over ICE’s tactics and the scope of its authority, raising questions about the balance between national security and the rights of immigrant communities.
