Operation Midway Blitz: ICE Enforcement Operations underway in Chicago
CHICAGO – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched “Operation Midway Blitz” in Chicago on Monday, substantially increasing immigration enforcement efforts in the city and surrounding areas. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the operation, stating it will “target the criminal illegal aliens who flocked to Chicago and Illinois.” DHS attributes the need for increased enforcement to Chicago and Illinois’ sanctuary laws, which limit cooperation between local and state law enforcement and ICE agents.The operation follows weeks after the Trump administration initially signaled plans to escalate ICE activity in Chicago.DHS has not specified the duration of Operation Midway Blitz. The department stated the mission is intended to honor Katie Abraham, a Chicago woman killed in a drunk driving hit-and-run crash in Urbana, Illinois, in January. The driver involved was an undocumented immigrant from Guatemala.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson stated the city received no prior notification of the enhanced immigration enforcement. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker expressed similar concerns on X.com, stating, “Once again, this isn’t about fighting crime. That requires support and coordination – yet we’ve experienced nothing like that over the past several weeks.”
Immigrant rights advocates and local activists have organized protests at ICE facilities in the Chicago suburbs since last week,with additional demonstrations planned as the operation continues. Community organizations are actively distributing information regarding residents’ rights. The City of Chicago provides “Know Your Rights” guides in both English and Spanish, available at: https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/mayor/Office%20of%20New%20Americans/PDFs/ShortenedResourceGuide-English.pdf and https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/mayor/Office%20of%20New%20Americans/PDFs/ShortenedResourceGuide-Spanish.pdf.
