NORTHWEST INDIANA – Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited Northwest Indiana on Thursday, October 30, 2025, to highlight the expanding reach of “Operation Midway Blitz Indiana,” an immigration enforcement initiative that originated in Chicago and has now extended to five additional states. The campaign, focused on apprehending individuals in the country illegally, has resulted in hundreds of arrests, including a significant number of commercial truck drivers operating in Indiana as part of Operation Midway Blitz Indiana.
Operation Midway Blitz Indiana: Enforcement Efforts in the Hoosier State
Secretary Noem, speaking at a press conference held at Gary/Chicago International Airport alongside Indiana Governor Mike Braun, detailed the successes of the operation in the Hoosier State. She announced that “Operation Midway Blitz Indiana” has led to 223 arrests of individuals in the country illegally in Indiana, with 146 of those arrests involving drivers of semi-trucks, box trucks, and buses. The initiative, which began in September 2025, has been a collaborative effort between federal agencies and the Indiana State Police, leveraging the 287(g) agreement that allows state and local law enforcement to enforce certain federal immigration laws. This partnership has intensified commercial vehicle enforcement along Indiana’s highways and at weigh stations as part of Operation Midway Blitz Indiana.
Indiana Immigration Enforcement Successes
“Through our partnership that we have with the state of Indiana, we have run an operation recently, which has allowed hundreds of arrests that has brought people in that are breaking our laws,” Secretary Noem stated. She emphasized the administration’s focus, asserting, “If you are here driving on our streets and highways illegally, you are endangering our citizens and your days are numbered.” The operation has reportedly led to arrests for offenses including driving under the influence, drug trafficking, theft, burglary, assault, child abuse, domestic battery, prostitution, and fraud. Secretary Noem also claimed that thousands of total arrests have been made nationwide under the operation, including individuals with criminal records such as “rapists, murderers and gang members.” This expansion of Indiana immigration enforcement is a key component of the broader Operation Midway Blitz.
Expanding Operation Midway Blitz Beyond Chicago
This immigration enforcement campaign is notable for its expansion beyond the Chicago metropolitan area. Secretary Noem indicated that the initiative now encompasses five other states, none of which possess “sanctuary” protections for undocumented immigrants. Notably, two of these newly targeted states are governed by Republican leaders. The ICE Chicago field office’s jurisdiction includes Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri, Kentucky, and Kansas, making these states focal points for the broadened enforcement efforts of Operation Midway Blitz Indiana.
Governor Braun on Immigration and Redistricting
Governor Braun, who recently convened a special legislative session to discuss congressional redistricting, drew a connection between immigration enforcement and the state’s political landscape. He argued that states and cities that harbor undocumented immigrants, often referred to as “sanctuary” jurisdictions, can disproportionately influence representation, particularly in the context of redrawing congressional maps. “It makes representation disproportionately in their favor,” Governor Braun commented, linking the issue to Indiana’s upcoming redistricting process and the importance of effective Indiana immigration enforcement.
Understanding “Sanctuary” Policies
“Sanctuary” policies are generally understood as measures by state and local governments to limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, though the term lacks a single legal definition. These policies can range from restricting police inquiries into immigration status to refusing to honor federal detainers. Proponents argue such policies foster trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities, encouraging crime reporting. However, the current administration has been critical of these policies, viewing them as obstacles to immigration enforcement, a stance highlighted by Operation Midway Blitz Indiana.
Response to Halloween Enforcement Pause Request
Secretary Noem also addressed recent requests from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker to pause immigration enforcement operations over the Halloween weekend. Noem sharply rejected the plea, calling it “shameful and unfortunate” and stressing that law enforcement must continue its mission to “bring criminals to justice and keep streets safe.” This stance underscores the administration’s commitment to ongoing enforcement, even amidst community concerns and protests, particularly in the Chicago area where previous enforcement actions have been described as aggressive and have reportedly led to trauma and fear within immigrant communities. Despite claims by DHS officials that operations target only those in the country illegally, some reports from Chicago operations have indicated the detention of U.S. citizens, a concern that has also been raised in the context of Operation Midway Blitz.
As “Operation Midway Blitz Indiana” intensifies and expands its reach into new territories, the push for stricter immigration enforcement continues to be a trending news topic, highlighting the ongoing tension between federal directives and local sanctuary policies across the nation. The visit to Indiana signals a broader, more aggressive strategy to enforce immigration laws beyond major urban centers, focusing on transportation networks and states with fewer protective measures for immigrant populations. The trucker arrests associated with Operation Midway Blitz are a significant part of this strategy.
