Senator Tammy Duckworth is urging federal watchdogs to open an inspector general probe into tactics used by federal immigration agents during stepped-up enforcement in Chicago. She cites reports of excessive force, unlawful arrests, and intimidation tied to an intensified citywide effort known as Operation Midway Blitz, launched on September 9, 2025, which targets people without legal status who also have criminal records.
Duckworth’s request asks the Department of Homeland Security’s internal watchdog for a formal review of incidents reported across neighborhoods with large immigrant communities. Her office highlights a pattern of complaints — from alleged use of chemical agents and masked officers in unmarked vehicles to helicopter-supported raids — that she says requires independent scrutiny. The senator’s office also raised concerns about obstruction of congressional oversight after she and Senator Dick Durbin were denied entry to the Broadview ICE facility in suburban Cook County.
Local reaction: fear, confusion, and rapid-response efforts
Illinois leaders describe the past weeks as marked by confusion and fear. Advocates report mass arrests that at times involved U.S. citizens and children, and some incidents where agents allegedly lacked clear warrants.
Faith groups and community clinics have responded by:
– Setting up rapid-response teams, legal hotlines, and safe meeting spaces to help families track detained relatives.
– Documenting enforcement actions in detail and collecting witness accounts that could support litigation.
Volunteers are actively gathering firsthand accounts and other evidence to prepare potential court challenges.
State officials and transparency concerns
State leaders, including Governor JB Pritzker, criticize what they call a lack of transparency from the Trump administration about the scope and rules of Operation Midway Blitz. They argue the federal approach:
– Undermines trust between local police and residents.
– Raises legal questions under Illinois law.
According to people involved in planning meetings, the state is exploring ways to challenge alleged abuses while coordinating practical support for households disrupted by sudden arrests.
Scope of the inspector general request
Duckworth’s request centers on three main areas:
1. Alleged excessive force by federal immigration agents during arrests.
2. Alleged unlawful detentions, including of people with valid documents or U.S. citizenship.
3. Alleged obstruction of congressional oversight when lawmakers attempted to review conditions and procedures at a federal facility.
She frames the probe as necessary to ensure accountability amid a surge in enforcement activity and mounting complaints.
Enforcement activity and legal context
A temporary restraining order currently bars deployment of the National Guard on active duty in Chicago. Despite that, federal agents continue operations in the city, including early-morning actions and coordinated neighborhood searches, according to local leaders and advocates.
This split — state restrictions on military deployment alongside ongoing federal arrests — has intensified debate over:
– Federal-state authority
– Limits of local sanctuary policies
Federal officials say Operation Midway Blitz aims to arrest noncitizens with criminal histories who pose public safety risks. Community groups say the operation has often swept more broadly, producing collateral arrests and tactics they describe as aggressive and frightening, sometimes occurring near schools or workplaces.
Requests from local officials and attorneys
Local officials have asked for clear written guidance on:
– How agents identify targets
– What warrants are in use
– How civil rights are protected during operations
Attorneys working with families request timely information about:
– Where individuals are being held
– How to request visits
– How to file complaints about alleged misconduct
They emphasize that, under federal law, people detained by immigration authorities have the right to speak with a lawyer and to ask about their case status.
Community mobilization and practical help
Illinois’s immigrant communities are mobilizing with practical services and education:
– Churches, mosques, and community centers host “know your rights” sessions.
– Groups distribute wallet cards with steps for interacting with law enforcement (for example, asking to see a warrant signed by a judge and remaining silent until an attorney is present).
– Neighborhood groups coordinate ride-shares to immigration court and raise funds for bond, childcare, and rent for families who lost a breadwinner to detention.
VisaVerge.com reports a sharp increase in legal help requests in Chicago since Operation Midway Blitz began. Many callers ask how to verify whether an arrest was lawful and how to recover personal belongings after a raid. VisaVerge.com’s analysis warns that confusion over process can delay access to counsel, potentially affecting outcomes in removal proceedings.
Legal teams recommend families:
– Keep copies of IDs, medical records, and past immigration paperwork in a safe, accessible place.
Escalation under Operation Midway Blitz
Operation Midway Blitz began on September 9, 2025, as part of a broader federal push to increase immigration enforcement in sanctuary jurisdictions. Illinois officials say they were not given adequate advance notice of the scale or tactics involved.
Community reports describe:
– Helicopter overflights during pre-dawn hours
– Agents in tactical gear
– Use of unmarked vehicles
Activists say they documented cases where U.S. citizens were detained and later released without charges, increasing public concern.
The denied visit to the Broadview ICE facility by Senators Duckworth and Durbin is now a flashpoint. The senators say elected representatives must oversee federal agencies, especially when constituents report harm. Advocates say blocking access prevents independent review of detention conditions, intake procedures, and medical care. This incident is a focus of the inspector general probe request and could prompt additional congressional inquiries.
Community fallout and legal pressure
Civil rights groups are preparing litigation challenging alleged excessive force and unlawful arrests tied to Operation Midway Blitz. Key legal questions include:
– Whether agents executed arrests without properly issued warrants
– Whether use-of-force policies were followed
– Whether agents improperly entered private property
Some organizations are gathering affidavits from residents who witnessed arrests where no judicial warrants were shown.
Local schools and social service providers report heightened anxiety:
– Children afraid to travel to activities or answer the door
– Missed medical appointments and avoidance of public spaces
Community leaders want clear hotline information and plain-language guidance on how to report alleged misconduct and how complaints are reviewed.
For those seeking to file complaints, the Department of Homeland Security’s watchdog accepts submissions directly. Information is available at the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General:
– https://www.oig.dhs.gov
Advocates recommend recording details such as:
– Date, time, location
– Names or badge numbers, if known
– Any witnesses
They also suggest asking for copies of any documents presented during an arrest, especially warrants, and keeping them safe.
State response and policy considerations
Governor Pritzker has joined local officials in pressing the federal government for better communication and clearer rules. Officeholders say their primary goals are to:
– Ensure public safety
– Protect civil rights
– Maintain trust between residents and local institutions
They argue that secretive tactics undermine cooperation with police and delay help for families in crisis. In private briefings, state leaders have discussed legal routes to challenge specific practices while urging federal officials to narrow the operation’s scope.
How families are adapting
Residents affected by enforcement describe daily routines shaped by caution:
– Leaving home in groups
– Planning alternative routes to work
– Arranging backup childcare in case a parent is arrested
Family contact lists are updated to include attorneys and community coordinators. Faith leaders are visiting shelters and church basements where volunteers store groceries, diapers, and medicine for families who fear leaving home after dark.
Community organizers advise concrete steps families can take now:
– Prepare emergency plans
– Carry contact numbers for attorneys
– Save documents in one folder accessible to a trusted friend
– Document any interaction with federal immigration agents, including video where safe and legal
Potential impact of an inspector general probe
The requested inspector general probe is not a court ruling and does not halt operations. However, it could:
– Force internal reviews and policy changes
– Lead to findings that shape training, supervision, and discipline for agents
– Inform future cooperation agreements between federal agencies and local governments, especially in sanctuary jurisdictions
If investigators substantiate allegations of excessive force or unlawful arrests, those findings could influence federal-local relations and enforcement practices.
Current outlook
For now, the situation remains tense and fluid:
– Families check in by text each morning and evening
– Legal clinics add appointment slots
– Local leaders plan more town halls to share practical steps
With the inspector general probe request pending, affected neighborhoods await whether federal oversight will bring clearer rules — and whether Operation Midway Blitz will change course amid growing public pressure.
This Article in a Nutshell
Senator Tammy Duckworth has asked the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general to investigate tactics used by federal immigration agents during Operation Midway Blitz, which began on September 9, 2025. The request cites reports of alleged excessive force, unlawful arrests — including some of U.S. citizens and people with valid documents — and intimidation, as well as obstruction of congressional oversight after senators were denied entry to the Broadview ICE facility. Illinois leaders and advocates report fear, mass and collateral arrests, helicopter-supported raids, and use of tactical gear and chemical agents. Community groups have organized rapid-response teams, legal hotlines, and documentation efforts. State officials seek clearer guidance on target identification, warrants, and civil-rights protections, while legal teams help families locate detainees and prepare complaints. An inspector general probe could lead to internal policy changes and inform future federal-local cooperation, but it would not automatically stop ongoing operations.
