Suburban Chicago Protests Outside Hotels and Naval Base

(CHICAGO AREA, ILLINOIS) Protesters lined sidewalks outside hotels and a naval training site in the suburbs again this week as Immigration and Customs Enforcement expanded the “Midway Blitz,” a new surge in immigration enforcement that has led to detentions of street vendors and day laborers. The stepped-up action follows public threats by President Trump to send the National Guard to Chicago, and comes as City Hall moves to overhaul its shelter network for asylum seekers, deepening anxiety for families already on edge.

Local officials are fighting back in court and in policy meetings, while immigrant groups deploy rapid response teams and legal support across Cook and collar counties.

Enforcement surge and scope

ICE activity has intensified since late spring, when the administration redeployed more than 10,000 service members to border and interior support roles, speeding up removal operations in cities and suburbs. As of early September, advocates report roughly 1,000 arrests nationwide in recent weeks, with about 100 in Chicago and surrounding towns.

In the Midway Blitz alone, at least five people were detained over several days, according to local monitors. Arrests reportedly took place near job sites and small businesses. The operation’s name honors Katie Abraham, a local resident killed in a crash involving an undocumented driver. Officials say the name signals a tough stance on crime. Critics say branding an enforcement push after a victim risks casting broad blame on all immigrants, including those with legal cases pending.

Daily rallies have grown as the White House repeats claims that undocumented immigrants are driving crime in the region and hints at deploying the National Guard. Illinois leaders point to state laws that limit cooperation with civil immigration enforcement and pledge to defend sanctuary rules in court.

Policy shifts and legal fronts

City policy is changing fast. Chicago is moving from the “New Arrivals” setup to the One System Initiative with the State of Illinois, ending the old placement process on December 31, 2024. Beginning January 2025, the Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) will manage shelter intake for all unhoused residents under one system.

Officials say the shift reflects budget pressures and fewer new arrivals than last year. The plan will:

• Cut city-funded migrant beds to 2,100 by year’s end.
• Add 3,800 beds to the state’s legacy homelessness network.
• Reduce dedicated placements for recent border crossers and rely more on shared systems for all unhoused residents.

Key changes include the end of 30-day extensions, first-time placements only for people in the country less than 30 days, and the closure of both the Landing Zone and the State Intake Center by December 31, 2024. Starting in January, anyone seeking shelter must call 311; DFSS will screen eligibility and assign available beds. Resource guides will be provided for City Key, legal help, food pantries, and community groups.

“We need a fair, cost-effective approach for everyone sleeping outside,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said when announcing the shift, noting deeper state and county partnerships. Deputy Mayor Beatriz Ponce de Leon added that a single system should reduce duplication and wait times.

On the federal side, a June 2024 order limited entry for people caught between ports of entry and expanded fast-track removal, narrowing asylum access except in rare cases. In January 2025, the CBP One app’s appointment tool was shut down, and pending slots were cancelled. Economists say the changes slowed arrivals to Chicago, easing shelter pressure but straining labor markets in some service sectors.

VisaVerge.com reports local employers already face hiring gaps in food service and construction, while city agencies prepare for higher per-person costs under the One System model.

Illinois remains a sanctuary state under the TRUST Act, which restricts local help with civil immigration enforcement. Chicago’s own rules also limit cooperation with ICE. Yet more than a dozen downstate areas have passed resolutions rejecting sanctuary policies, and Republican lawmakers have introduced bills to undo statewide protections.

In court, the city notched a win on August 11, 2025, when a federal judge—identified in filings as Judge Jenkins—ruled that forcing local police to aid deportation operations is unconstitutional. Chicago has now joined a broader lawsuit over federal funding tied to sanctuary policies, setting up a clash that could affect budgets well beyond the region.

On the ground: fear, rights, and next steps

For families in mixed-status households, everyday tasks now carry risk. Parents describe choosing different bus routes, changing drop-off times, and keeping copies of key documents in their bags. Rapid response teams say calls spike when marked enforcement vehicles are seen near transit stops or day-labor corners. Organizers urge calm and preparation rather than panic.

People with open cases should keep their paperwork accessible. That includes the Notice to Appear (Form I-862) and any receipts or notices from USCIS or the immigration court.

Important forms and steps (preserve links):

• If you move, submit a change of address within 5 business days to the immigration court using Form EOIR-33: Form EOIR-33.
• If you have an order of removal and urgent medical or family reasons, request a temporary pause by filing Form I-246 (Application for Stay of Deportation or Removal) with ICE: Form I-246.
• People with work permit eligibility, including certain asylum seekers, should file Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization): Form I-765.
• Those hiring a lawyer can have the attorney file Form G-28 so agencies and courts communicate with legal counsel directly: Form G-28.

Advocates also stress basic rights during immigration enforcement:

• You do not have to open the door unless officers show a judicial warrant with your name and address.
• You can ask officers to slide any documents under the door.
• You have the right to remain silent and to speak with a lawyer.
• Parents should keep school and caregiver contacts handy and write a plan for child pickup in emergencies.

Community hotlines track where operations occur and can send trained volunteers to document activity and connect families with legal help.

Shelter process under One System (effective January 2025)

The city’s step-by-step process taking effect in January 2025 is:

1. Call 311 to request placement.
2. DFSS screens eligibility and directs you to an available bed inside the unified system.
3. Staff provide a resource guide with City Key, legal aid, food, and community services.
4. Stays are time-limited; no extensions will be granted based on public benefit enrollment.
5. All shelter funding and operations run through DFSS Homeless Services.

Officials say the restructured system will improve fairness and help the city budget. Critics warn that cuts to dedicated migrant beds could push more families into crowded apartments or informal housing, where exploitation and unsafe conditions rise.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, people who no longer qualify for shelter will turn more to churches and mutual aid groups, which already face stretched budgets.

Law enforcement responses and public confusion

Police departments in many suburbs say they will not take part in civil immigration enforcement because state law prohibits it, while others have signaled they will share data or cooperate with federal agencies for criminal cases. The line between criminal and civil enforcement often confuses residents.

• A civil case is an immigration matter that can lead to deportation but is not a crime by itself under U.S. law.
• A criminal case involves charges filed in state or federal court.

Illinois officials emphasize that the TRUST Act blocks local help with civil enforcement but does not protect people who commit crimes.

Inside City Hall, some alderpersons argue that shelter costs have outpaced revenue and that stricter rules are needed to protect services for long-time residents. Others say the city’s identity as a welcoming place is at stake, and that enforcement sweeps risk breaking trust with immigrant neighborhoods that rely on police in emergencies.

Governor JB Pritzker has said the state will use its laws to limit federal immigration arrests and maintain sanctuary protections, even as courts weigh the funding lawsuit. Alderman Anthony Napolitano of the 41st Ward continues to raise public safety and budget concerns and previously voted against sanctuary status.

Federal posture, local impacts, and future outlook

For now, ICE says deportation flights and transfers will continue, with national priorities set by Washington. The agency’s Enforcement and Removal Operations unit outlines how detentions and removals work, including custody decisions and post-order supervision: ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations.

Local advocates counter that visible street arrests during the Midway Blitz chill witnesses from speaking to police and push workers further into the shadows. Economists add that the new federal limits on border entries and the end of CBP One scheduling have reduced migrant flows into Chicago, reshaping both city expenses and workforce supply.

Whether the National Guard appears on city streets remains an open question. Legal experts note that any deployment for immigration enforcement would face court challenges over federal authority and state powers. In the meantime, organizers plan more demonstrations outside hotels and the naval base, aiming to keep pressure on federal agencies and signal support to families.

Chicago’s lawsuit over funding caps may set a national marker on sanctuary policies, especially if Judge Jenkins’ ruling stands through appeals.

Practical advice and resources

People with pending cases should:

• Keep appointments and bring identification.
• Save proof of residence and school enrollment for children.
• If you miss a hearing, contact your lawyer immediately; failure to appear can trigger an in-absentia order.
• If you can’t find legal help, call recognized organizations such as the National Immigrant Justice Center or the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, which are staffing extra clinics during the Midway Blitz.
• For shelter issues, call 311, and ask DFSS staff about the One System rules, time limits, and the resource guide.
• Families should also check school district policies for emergency contacts and release plans.

As protests continue and enforcement actions expand, the Chicago area finds itself at the intersection of federal power and local limits. The outcome of court fights over funding, the city’s shelter transition, and the scope of the Midway Blitz will shape whether residents feel safer—or more scared—when they step outside their front doors. For now, the region lives with both: a larger federal footprint on the streets, and a loud chorus of neighbors insisting that community ties matter more than fear.