Key Takeaways
• As of June 25, 2025, about 59,000 people are detained by ICE across the United States.
• North Lake Correctional Facility in Michigan houses many Midwest detainees due to Illinois ICE contract ban.
• June 4 Chicago operation detained immigrants unexpectedly, separating many from attorneys and families immediately.
A Record Surge in ICE Detention: Midwest Families Face New Hardships
As of June 25, 2025, the United States 🇺🇸 is witnessing a record high in immigration detentions, with approximately 59,000 people held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) across the country. This dramatic increase follows President Trump’s renewed focus on immigration enforcement, especially in Democratic-led cities like Chicago. The opening of the North Lake Correctional Facility in Baldwin, Michigan—now the largest ICE detention center in the Midwest—has added a new layer of complexity for families and advocates. The situation has left many, including families in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, struggling to find legal help after loved ones are detained and transferred out of state.
Below, we break down the latest developments, what they mean for immigrants and their families, and the broader implications for communities, legal rights, and public policy.
What Happened: Mass Detentions and a New Facility
On June 4, 2025, ICE agents carried out a large-scale detention operation at 2245 S. Michigan Avenue in Chicago. Immigrants who had come for routine check-ins—many expecting a simple appointment—were instead detained, often without warning. In many cases, people were separated from their attorneys and families on the spot.
This operation was part of a broader push by President Trump’s administration to expand deportations in cities that have declared themselves “sanctuary cities.” According to Chicago ICE Field Office Director Sam Olson, the lack of available detention space in Illinois—due to state laws banning ICE detention contracts—has forced the agency to transfer detainees to other states. The newly opened North Lake Correctional Facility in Michigan, with a capacity for 1,800 people, is now the main destination for many of these detainees.
The first person was transferred to North Lake on June 16, 2025. Since then, families in Chicago and surrounding areas have found it even harder to stay in touch with loved ones or secure legal representation.
Why Are Detentions Increasing?
The spike in ICE detention numbers is the result of several policy changes and enforcement strategies:
- Targeting Democratic Cities: President Trump has directed ICE to focus on cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York, which have strong sanctuary policies. This is a shift from previous federal restraint in these areas.
- Illinois Ban on ICE Contracts: Illinois law now prohibits private prison contracts and county jail agreements with ICE. This means ICE cannot detain people in Illinois, so they are sent to out-of-state facilities like North Lake Correctional Facility.
- Expedited Removal: ICE is using a process called expedited removal, which allows them to deport people without a formal court hearing if they cannot prove they have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for at least two years. This policy is being challenged in court but is still in effect.
The Human Impact: Families Struggle to Find Legal Help
For families like those in Lakeview, the consequences are immediate and severe. When a loved one is detained, they are often transferred hundreds of miles away to Michigan. This makes it extremely difficult to:
- Visit or communicate with the detainee
- Find and hire an immigration lawyer
- Prepare for court hearings or gather documents
The shortage of immigration attorneys willing or able to travel to remote facilities like North Lake Correctional Facility has created a legal crisis. Many families report waiting days or even weeks before they can speak to a lawyer. Some never manage to secure legal help at all.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, this lack of access to legal representation can have devastating consequences. Without a lawyer, detainees are much more likely to lose their cases and face deportation—even if they have strong claims to stay in the country.
Mass Detentions and Protests in Chicago
The June 4 operation in Chicago did not go unnoticed. Community members, local officials, and advocacy groups quickly organized protests outside the detention site. Many reported that ICE agents, some wearing masks, used force to break up demonstrations. There were also reports that officers from the Chicago Police Department (CPD) assisted ICE, raising serious questions about whether the city’s Welcoming City Ordinance—which limits local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement—was violated.
Alderman Andre Vasquez, who chairs the Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights, has called for a City Council hearing on July 1, 2025, to investigate CPD’s involvement and ensure city laws are being followed.
Congressional Oversight Blocked
Concerns about transparency and oversight have grown as ICE has denied access to its facilities for elected officials. On June 17, 2025, Illinois Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi and Jonathan Jackson were refused entry to a South Loop ICE facility after constituents reported being detained under false pretenses. The next day, more representatives were blocked from visiting a suburban processing center.
These denials have fueled fears that detainees are being held without proper oversight, denied access to attorneys, and not receiving basic necessities.
Courthouse Arrests and the Legal Access Crisis
ICE has also stepped up arrests at courthouses, detaining immigrants immediately after their court hearings. This tactic has created widespread fear in the immigrant community. Many people are now afraid to attend court, even for unrelated matters, because they worry they will be detained and deported.
Ed Yohnka of the ACLU of Illinois has condemned these courthouse arrests, saying they undermine due process and discourage immigrants from participating in the legal system. Legal experts warn that this climate of fear makes it even harder for people to defend themselves or seek justice.
How the Process Works: Step-by-Step for Families
For families affected by ICE detention, the process can be confusing and overwhelming. Here’s what typically happens:
- Detention Notification: Individuals may receive a text or phone call instructing them to report for a check-in. Sometimes, they are detained on the spot.
- Transfer to Detention Facility: Because Illinois does not allow ICE detention contracts, most detainees are sent to out-of-state facilities like North Lake Correctional Facility in Michigan.
- Legal Representation: Families must quickly try to find a lawyer. However, the shortage of immigration attorneys and the distance to the detention center make this very difficult.
- Court Hearings and Expedited Removal: Some detainees face expedited removal, which means they can be deported without a formal hearing unless they can prove they have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for at least two years. For more information about expedited removal, you can visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) official page.
- Advocacy and Support: Community organizations and legal aid groups try to help, but the demand for their services is much greater than what they can provide.
Policy Implications and Stakeholder Perspectives
The current situation has sparked strong reactions from many different groups:
- Federal Officials: Defend the increased enforcement as necessary for national security and law enforcement.
- Local Officials and Advocates: Argue that these tactics violate sanctuary city policies, harm families, and erode trust between communities and law enforcement.
- Detainees and Families: Report trauma, separation, and a lack of access to legal help due to distance and limited resources.
- Civil Rights Advocates: Warn that private detention facilities like North Lake Correctional Facility, operated by GEO Group, have a history of abuse and lack proper oversight.
Eunice Cho of the ACLU National Prison Project has warned that private ICE facilities often lack accountability, making it harder to ensure detainees are treated fairly and humanely.
Background: How Did We Get Here?
Illinois has a long history of trying to protect immigrants. Over the past decade, the state has passed laws to limit cooperation with ICE, ban private detention contracts, and restrict local law enforcement from participating in civil immigration enforcement.
However, since President Trump returned to office, there has been a sharp reversal at the federal level. The administration has prioritized enforcement in Democratic cities, expanded the use of expedited removal, and increased reliance on private detention centers.
Legal challenges to expedited removal and courthouse arrests are ongoing, but as of June 2025, these policies remain in effect.
Community and Political Response
The backlash to these enforcement tactics has been swift and vocal:
- Protests: Community members and advocacy groups have organized rallies and demonstrations to demand an end to mass detentions and family separations.
- Public Campaigns: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has launched a citywide campaign to educate residents about their rights during ICE encounters.
- City Council Hearings: The Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights will hold a hearing on July 1, 2025, to investigate CPD’s role in federal immigration enforcement and ensure compliance with city laws.
What’s Next? Pending Changes and Future Outlook
Several important developments are on the horizon:
- City Council Hearing: The July 1 hearing will examine whether Chicago Police violated the Welcoming City Ordinance during the June 4 detentions.
- Legal Challenges: Federal court decisions on expedited removal and courthouse arrest policies are expected soon. These rulings could change how ICE operates in the future.
- Continued Expansion: ICE is likely to keep expanding detention capacity and enforcement operations in the Midwest and other Democratic strongholds.
Practical Guidance for Affected Families
If you or someone you know is affected by ICE detention, here are some steps you can take:
- Know Your Rights: Learn about your rights during ICE encounters. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Know Your Rights page provides helpful information.
- Contact Legal Aid: Reach out to organizations like the ACLU of Illinois or the National Immigrant Justice Center for legal help.
- Locate Detained Family Members: Use the ICE Detainee Locator to find out where a loved one is being held.
- Attend Community Meetings: Stay informed about upcoming hearings and advocacy events, such as the July 1 City Council hearing at City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle, 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL.
Conclusion: A System Under Strain
The surge in ICE detention, the opening of the North Lake Correctional Facility, and aggressive enforcement tactics in cities like Chicago have created a crisis for immigrant families. Many are separated from loved ones, struggle to find legal help, and face the threat of deportation without a fair hearing. Local officials and advocates are pushing back, demanding transparency, accountability, and respect for sanctuary city policies.
As the situation continues to evolve, families, legal advocates, and community members will need to stay informed and connected to resources. The outcome of upcoming hearings and court decisions will play a critical role in shaping the future of immigration enforcement in the United States 🇺🇸.
For more detailed information about ICE detention and your rights, visit the official ICE website. Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that staying informed and seeking legal support as early as possible can make a significant difference in the outcome of immigration cases.
Learn Today
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, responsible for immigration enforcement and detention.
Sanctuary Cities → Cities limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement to protect immigrants.
Expedited Removal → A process allowing deportation without formal hearings if residency isn’t proven for two years.
North Lake Correctional Facility → Michigan-based ICE detention center with 1,800 detainee capacity, servicing Midwest transfers.
Welcoming City Ordinance → Chicago law restricting local police cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
This Article in a Nutshell
A record surge in ICE detentions, especially in Chicago, challenges immigrant families with distant transfers and legal access shortages. The North Lake facility in Michigan expands capacity, deepening hardships. Community protests and city hearings focus on law enforcement roles amid rising deportations and policy shifts under President Trump’s administration.
— By VisaVerge.com
