CHICAGO – Federal immigration authorities have announced a significant operation in the Chicago area resulting in “many arrests,” targeting immigrants in the U.S. illegally who have prior criminal records. The enforcement surge, spearheaded by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials and U.S. Border Patrol, has ignited a sharp political debate, drawing strong criticism from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.
Operation “Midway Blitz” and “At Large” Intensify in Chicago
U.S. Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino announced on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, that his teams had initiated enforcement actions in Chicago, signaling a potential escalation of federal efforts. Bovino, who previously led controversial immigration crackdowns in Los Angeles, stated on social media, “We are already going hard this morning!!! Many arrests.” He indicated that the mission, under operations like “At Large,” was to continue targeting “criminal illegal aliens.”
Concurrently, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been conducting “Operation Midway Blitz,” an enforcement effort that began earlier in the month. This operation, reportedly launched in honor of Katie Abraham, a Chicago woman killed in a drunk driving incident earlier this year by an undocumented immigrant, aims to apprehend individuals without legal status who possess criminal convictions or pending charges. Specific arrests reported by DHS include individuals with convictions for assault, driving under the influence (DUI) with a child passenger, and felony stalking. One notable case involved the arrest of Aldo Salazar Bahena, a convicted murderer and gang member, who was apprehended in an Elgin suburb days after being released from a state prison under Illinois’ sanctuary policies.
DHS Cites “Sanctuary” Laws as Justification
The Department of Homeland Security has framed these operations as a direct response to “sanctuary” laws in Chicago and Illinois. These state and local policies limit cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, which DHS claims allows criminals to evade deportation. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was present in the Chicago area, overseeing some of the enforcement actions and emphasizing the administration’s commitment to public safety. She stated, “President Trump has been clear: if politicians will not put the safety of their citizens first, this administration will.” Secretary Noem highlighted the detention of offenders with serious arrest records, including assault and felony stalking.
Governor Pritzker Condemns Tactics, Cites Profiling Concerns
Governor JB Pritzker of Illinois has vehemently criticized the federal operation, labeling the tactics “overly aggressive” and potentially “for show.” He expressed significant concern about the potential for racial profiling, stating, “They are grabbing people who have brown skin or who speak with an accent or who speak another language, and not people who are guilty of or are accused of perpetrating a crime.” Pritzker accused the Trump administration of using these operations to “cause challenges and mayhem on the ground” and to scare residents, rather than genuinely improving public safety. He pointed out the lack of direct communication from the federal government regarding the scope and nature of these operations.
Local Officials Express Frustration, Lack of Notification
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson also voiced his discontent, noting that the city “received no notice of any enhanced immigration action” ahead of the “Operation Midway Blitz” announcement. Johnson and Governor Pritzker have defended the state and city’s sanctuary laws, asserting they protect constitutional rights and do not impede efforts to combat crime when coordinated properly. The contrast between the federal administration’s aggressive enforcement stance and local leadership’s defense of sanctuary policies creates a trending point of contention in the city’s news.
Broader Context and Enforcement Controversies
The surge in Chicago follows similar federal immigration enforcement campaigns in other major U.S. cities. The Trump administration has consistently pushed for increased deportations and has utilized operations with military-themed names. Concerns have also been raised regarding enforcement methods. While DHS denied that U.S. citizens were arrested during one raid in Elgin, reports indicated that two citizens were briefly detained before being released. Furthermore, a recent incident involved an ICE officer being dragged by a fleeing suspect, leading to the suspect’s death, which DHS defended as appropriate force. Activists point to an increase in immigration enforcement activities, including traffic stops and presence at local courthouses, contributing to a climate of fear within immigrant communities.
This ongoing federal operation in Chicago underscores the persistent tension between federal immigration enforcement priorities and the policies of “sanctuary” cities and states, making it a significant and closely watched piece of national news.
