(CHICAGO, ILLINOIS) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has launched a major new operation in the city and suburbs, with federal officials saying they will focus on noncitizens with violent criminal records. The 30-day surge—called Operation Midway Blitz—began September 8, 2025 and is centered on Chicago and nearby Illinois communities. DHS leaders say the push is “in honor of Katie Abraham,” a local woman killed earlier this year in a drunk driving crash involving an undocumented immigrant.
In its first days, ICE announced at least 13 arrests, with officials describing those detained as “pedophiles, rapists, abusers, armed robbers, and other violent thugs.” Federal leaders emphasize the operation targets people they label the worst offenders, while critics and local officials warn of broader impacts.
Federal goals and scope
DHS describes Operation Midway Blitz as a 30-day immigration enforcement surge that directs personnel and resources into Chicago-area neighborhoods. ICE says teams are conducting targeted arrests, often with ATF partners, focusing on people believed to be linked to violent offenses or gangs.
- Stated focus: individuals with records for homicide, sexual assault, armed robbery, and gang activity.
- Partners involved: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) — including targeting suspected gun trafficking tied to the Tren de Aragua gang.
- Duration: officially set for 30 days beginning September 8, 2025, though DHS has not provided a firm end date or said whether the surge could be extended.
Acting Enforcement and Removal Operations Director Marco Charles said, “the ones that we want to get off the streets are going to be our heinous criminals,” underscoring the operation’s stated focus.
Warning: DHS has tied the operation to the death of Katie Abraham, a move critics say politicizes a family tragedy and broadens public fear.
Early arrests and reporting concerns
In the operation’s opening days, ICE reported at least 13 arrests, describing those detained with strongly worded labels but providing few public details about individual cases beyond charges or alleged gang ties.
- Oversight groups say it is too early to verify whether the arrests will remain narrowly focused.
- Analysis by VisaVerge.com notes such surges often begin with targeted warrants but can widen if agents encounter other deportable people at the scene — a practice advocates fear may recur.
- Civil rights attorneys and advocates call for transparency and independent oversight to confirm whether federal agents stick to the stated scope.
Tension with local and state officials
Illinois leaders sharply dispute the federal framing and decry the lack of coordination.
- Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said the city received “no notice of any enhanced immigration action,” warning the lack of coordination risks confusion and fear.
- Governor JB Pritzker called the effort political, saying “this isn’t about fighting crime,” and estimated roughly 200 ICE agents and 100 ICE vehicles have been deployed in the region.
- Pritzker and city officials warned that the surge is rattling immigrant neighborhoods already on edge and cautioned against bringing in military forces; reports that President Trump suggested sending the National Guard raised alarm, though Illinois officials say no deployment is underway.
Local leaders also note Chicago’s long-standing sanctuary policies limit civil immigration cooperation unless a judge signs a warrant or the person is charged with certain serious offenses.
Local pushback and community impact
Across Chicago, advocacy groups have:
- Staged protests outside ICE facilities.
- Circulated “Know Your Rights” materials in English and Spanish.
- Reported increased calls from parents and workers worried about safety and commuting.
Suburban communities — including Maywood, Skokie, Bolingbrook, and Evanston — have warned residents about stepped-up immigration enforcement and reiterated opposition to federal raids. City Hall plans additional supports:
- A website with real-time updates on federal activity.
- Community hotlines and legal resources.
- Mobile video boards reminding people of basic rights during an ICE encounter.
The city’s consistent message: stay calm, ask for identification, and seek legal help. Officials also stress that Chicago police are not working with ICE on civil immigration arrests.
Risks to community trust and public safety
Advocates worry the promise to focus only on violent offenders will not hold, citing past surges where agents:
- Arrested housemates and relatives who lacked criminal convictions.
- Conducted early-morning home visits that swept up others at the scene.
Consequences described by advocates and local offices include:
- Mixed‑status families avoiding routine trips to school or the store for fear of detention.
- Victims and witnesses becoming less likely to report crimes or cooperate with police.
- Service disruptions — missed medical appointments, student absences, and workers skipping shifts.
Legal groups are training volunteers to document arrests and help families find counsel. They urge residents not to spread rumors on social media, which can cause panic and drive people into hiding even when no federal agents are nearby.
Demands for transparency and next steps
Illinois lawmakers are pressing ICE for more detail, including:
- Locations of arrests.
- Whether anyone without a violent record has been detained.
- Clear accounting of who was arrested and the charges involved.
Civil rights attorneys say transparency and independent oversight will be essential to determine if federal agents are adhering to the operation’s stated scope.
For official federal updates, residents can check U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. City officials urge relying on trusted sources rather than neighborhood rumor mills.
Key takeaway: If arrests remain limited to those with serious criminal histories, DHS argues Chicago will be safer. If people without violent records are swept in, advocates warn the damage — to families, trust, and public safety — will be hard to undo.
The coming weeks will test whether federal promises and local fears can coexist without deeper harm. As Operation Midway Blitz moves forward, Chicago is bracing for a long 30 days.
This Article in a Nutshell
Operation Midway Blitz is a DHS and ICE initiative that began September 8, 2025, as a 30-day surge targeting noncitizens with violent criminal histories in Chicago and nearby Illinois communities. ICE reports at least 13 arrests early in the operation and is partnering with ATF to address suspected gun trafficking tied to the Tren de Aragua gang. Illinois leaders criticized the lack of coordination—Mayor Brandon Johnson said the city received no notice—while Governor JB Pritzker estimated about 200 ICE agents and 100 vehicles deployed. Community groups have staged protests, distributed Know Your Rights guides, and warned of broader impacts, including families avoiding routine activities and reduced cooperation with police. Civil rights attorneys and lawmakers demand transparency, documentation of arrests, and independent oversight to ensure the operation remains focused on serious offenders. The outcome in the weeks ahead will shape trust between immigrant communities, local authorities, and federal agencies.
