Border Patrol to depart Chicago as ICE remains active, sources say

(CHICAGO) The U.S. Border Patrol is preparing to leave Chicago within days, ending a two-month enforcement surge known locally as “Operation Midway Blitz,” according to multiple sources familiar with the plan. Led in the city by Commander Gregory Bovino, the team is set to redeploy to continue an “at-large” mission elsewhere in the United States, while Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will remain active in Chicago.

The shift follows a period of aggressive operations, more than 3,000 arrests since early September, and sustained protests that drew national attention to the city’s role in federal immigration enforcement under President Trump.

Federal posture and redeployment details

Federal officials at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) say they continue to enforce immigration laws in Chicago day to day, but they declined to discuss the timing, destination, or scope of the pending redeployment.

• The on-call task force that supported the surge—composed of FBI agents and U.S. attorneys—is also expected to wind down, according to individuals briefed on the plan.
• While the Border Patrol’s departure marks a clear change in posture, ICE’s continued presence means enforcement actions will not stop.
• This raises questions for residents and local leaders about what operations in the coming weeks will look like and who will be targeted.

What happened during the surge

The move closes a contentious chapter that began in early September, when the surge brought Border Patrol agents into city neighborhoods and surrounding suburbs in greater numbers.

• Community groups reported early-morning “at-large” arrests, in which officers seek specific individuals across multiple locations rather than at the border or during workplace checks.
• Over 3,000 arrests followed during the period, prompting tense confrontations at several sites and calls from advocacy groups for clear rules on warrants and identification.
• City officials and local legal aid providers said the pace of enforcement strained trust with immigrant families who feared going to work, school, or court.

Federal agencies did not publicly confirm the entire footprint of the surge, but sources described overlapping teams supporting the operation with intelligence, legal review, and logistics.

• The FBI and U.S. attorneys provided on-call support to process cases and coordinate with federal courts—a structure several experts called unusual for Chicago at this scale.
• As the redeployment approaches, that structure is being dismantled.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the decision to move Border Patrol agents out of Chicago while keeping ICE active suggests a strategic pivot rather than a wholesale retreat from federal immigration enforcement in the region.

Legal and community responses

The Border Patrol’s leadership under Commander Bovino became a flashpoint during protests, with demonstrators demanding an end to what they described as heavy-handed raids and warrantless arrests.

• Civil rights lawyers filed challenges to certain arrest tactics, arguing that federal agents entered private property without valid judicial warrants or detained bystanders without cause.
• ICE has faced similar legal challenges in Chicago courts, with judges at times pressing the agency to explain the basis for arrests that did not involve active warrants.
• DHS did not address those specific claims when asked, instead pointing to the department’s mandate to enforce federal law and declining to comment on operations still underway.

For Chicago’s large mixed-status families, the departure of Border Patrol agents may ease one layer of pressure but not the core risk of detention.

• Immigrant parents told community groups they plan to keep carrying identification documents and emergency contact plans for children—the same routines they adopted during the surge.
• Local school and health officials reported a drop in attendance during several high-profile operations, a trend they hope will reverse as agents redeploy.
• Because ICE remains tasked with enforcement, aid groups are telling residents to stay informed about their rights and seek legal advice if contacted by officers.

Numbers and public reaction

The figures that defined the surge underscore its reach:

• More than 3,000 arrests since early September, making it one of the most intense periods of immigration enforcement Chicago has seen in recent years.
• City hotlines and legal aid clinics saw spikes in calls during neighborhood operations.
• Protesters staged nightly demonstrations outside federal buildings and mobile processing sites, alleging excessive force and demanding transparency.
• The Chicago Police Department faced public pressure to explain how it handled demonstrations near federal operations.

While city officials stressed they do not enforce federal immigration law, questions persisted about coordination when roads closed or crowds dispersed during arrests.

Agency roles and what changes now

Legal scholars say this change will test how much of the surge’s impact stemmed from the Border Patrol’s presence versus ICE’s ongoing activities.

• Border Patrol agents are trained primarily for border environments.
• ICE conducts interior enforcement, including “at-large” arrests.
• In practice, both agencies operated in Chicago under the same broad federal authority, but with different tools and experience.

Now, ICE will continue to carry out its duties without the added manpower of Border Patrol agents. For those seeking more information on agency roles and authorities, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection provides an overview of the Border Patrol’s mission and structure on its official site at https://www.cbp.gov/border-security/along-us-borders/overview.

Political context and local implications

Politically, the operation reflected the Trump administration’s focus on interior enforcement and visible results.

• President Trump’s approach drew strong support from voters who prioritize strict immigration controls, even as it fueled legal battles and community unrest in cities like Chicago.
• The redeployment offers federal officials a way to shift resources while avoiding a public declaration of policy change.
• DHS’s decision not to discuss destinations or timelines suggests an effort to keep operational flexibility intact.

For city leaders, the immediate task is to communicate what the drawdown means for residents and how local services will respond if ICE operations lead to more court dates, detention transfers, or family separations.

Advice from advocacy groups and legal aid

Union representatives for federal agents were not immediately available to discuss the redeployment. Advocacy groups said they plan to keep monitoring enforcement activity and collecting reports of arrests, including details about warrants and officer identification.

• Attorneys emphasized that people targeted for arrest still face serious consequences even as the Border Patrol leaves town.
• Detainees may be moved to facilities outside the city, and cases can proceed quickly.
• Legal aid groups encouraged families to:
  • Keep copies of legal documents
  • Maintain contact information for counsel
  • Stay informed about rights and what to do if contacted by officers

Important: The enforcement landscape, while changing, remains active. Continued vigilance and legal preparation are recommended.

Community impact and outlook

As the teams prepare to leave, the relief felt across Chicago’s immigrant neighborhoods is uneven.

• Some families expressed a sense of breathing room as the visible presence of Border Patrol vehicles declines.
• Others said the constant uncertainty has taken a toll that will not fade quickly.
• With ICE still on the streets, the daily reality for many does not change.

For now, Chicago waits to see where the federal government sends Commander Bovino’s agents next, and whether the quieter footprint in the city will last longer than this two-month surge that left more than 3,000 arrests—and a community on edge—in its wake.