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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has ramped up federal immigration enforcement in Chicago under what it calls Operation Midway Blitz, a newly announced initiative aimed at arresting noncitizens with criminal records and reinforcing border policy priorities. DHS

According to a DHS press release, the campaign is named in honor of Katie Abraham, a 20-year-old Illinois resident killed in a 2025 hit-and-run crash allegedly involving a Guatemalan national. The Washington Post DHS says the operation will focus on “criminal illegal aliens” it characterizes as “worst of the worst,” including suspects involved in violent offenses or repeat criminal behavior. DHS

What is happening on the ground

• Intense presence: Media reports indicate that approximately 200 ICE agents and 100 vehicles have been positioned across Chicago and surrounding counties in anticipation of sweeping arrests. CBSNEWS
• Initial arrests: ICE confirmed at least 13 individuals with alleged violent criminal records have been detained under Operation Midway Blitz. FOX 32 Chicago
• Public and official resistance: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson have pushed back, criticizing lack of coordination and citing potential civil liberties concerns. NBC Chicago Local groups and immigrant advocates also warn of wrongful detentions and the chilling effect on community trust. NBC Chicago

Policy context and legal debates

This operation underscores tensions in the ongoing border politics and ICE enforcement strategy. DHS and ICE frame Midway Blitz as part of a broader effort to pressure sanctuary jurisdictions and reassert federal control over immigration policing. CBS News

Critics argue that the sweep may overreach statutory bounds, especially when detaining nonviolent immigrants or U.S. citizens misidentified in enforcement actions. NBC Chicago Legal observers note that safeguarding due process and maintaining clear standards are vital as ICE intensifies operations in urban settings.

For immigrants and advocates, this moment underscores the importance of knowing your rights, maintaining valid immigration documentation, and staying aware of federal enforcement shifts. Communities may also rely on local legal clinics, civil rights organizations, and previously published guides to Immigration Courts and Due Process when challenging or navigating detentions.