Operation Midway Blitz

  1. Home
  2. Wiki

"Midway Blitz" redirects here. For the series of football-themed video games released by Midway Games, see NFL Blitz.

Operation Midway Blitz is an operation by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted in Chicago, Illinois, starting on September 9, 2025.[1] The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that the operation will arrest illegal immigrants with criminal records.[1] DHS stated the operation is to crack down on sanctuary policies.[2] Hundreds of DHS agents used a nearby naval base as a staging area.[1] Governor JB Pritzker's office has stated that the Trump administration did not communicate with his office about the operation.[1] The legality of the operation was questioned by some legal experts,[1] and Pritzker is planning legal action.[3] The operation caused anxiety among certain Chicago residents such as Latinos.[1] Religious organizations in Chicago have coordinated to schedule gatherings and make resources available for immigrants.[1][4] A hotline set up to report ICE sightings was very busy on the first day of the operation, confirming that enforcement actions increased.[3]

Background

[edit]
Further information: 2025 deployment of federal forces in the United States

During his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump stated he would use the military to end protests without consent from state governors, actions which his aides had previously talked him out of during his first term.[5] Following his election, the Trump administration launched successive purges of top military and intelligence leadership whose views were seen as being at odds with Trump.[6] During a September 30 meeting with over 800 generals and admirals, Trump stated that the deployments should be used as "training grounds for our military" and described America as waging "a war from within"; saying that "America is under invasion from within" and that it was "No different than a foreign enemy, but more difficult in many ways because they don’t wear uniforms".[7]

In 2025, the Trump administration had deployed forces of the federal government such as the National Guard to select US cities. Deployments began in Los Angeles in June 2025, followed with deployment to Washington D.C in August 2025. and planned deployments to Memphis, Chicago and Portland amongst others.[8][9][10][11] On September 8, 2025, DHS announced that ICE would lead Operation Midway Blitz, a multi-agency surge aimed at “criminal illegal aliens” in Illinois. According to U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood, the operation began on September 6, 2025.[12] According to DHS, the mission honors Katie Abraham, a Chicago woman killed earlier in the year by an undocumented driver in Urbana.[13]

Launch and scope

[edit]

While announced as a Chicago crackdown, the operation's jurisdiction covers the entire state of Illinois and neighboring Lake County, Indiana.[14] In addition to ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), personnel from the U.S. Marshals Service, Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) were included.[15] The ICE processing facility in the Chicago suburb of Broadview was the site of clashes between protestors and federal agents.[16] ABC 7 Chicago reported that more than 250 people had been taken into custody during the first nine days, with detainees transferred to immigration detention centers in Indiana and Wisconsin.[17] Thirteen days after the operation began, DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin stated that officials had arrested almost 550 people.[18]

Events

[edit]

September 12

[edit]

On September 12, ICE agents in Franklin Park, Illinois shot and killed Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez. Villegas-Gonzalez was dropping his child off at school when approached by the agents, and attempted to flee in his vehicle.[19] DHS officials said he had struck an officer who feared for his life when firing the shots that killed him.[20] Villegas-Gonzalez's lawyer rejected DHS's characterization of his conduct, saying that he was not a violent man and was probably scared when approached by the agents. Delia Ramirez called for an investigation into the killing.[19]

September 28

[edit]

In downtown Chicago, protesters heckled armed U.S. Border Patrol agents as they marched through the downtown and Gold Coast neighborhoods, chanting "Shame", "Pigs", and "Get out of Chicago". Agents arrested a Latino family in Millennium Park, including an 8-year old and 3-year old child, during the patrolling.[21]

September 30

[edit]

ICE conducted a raid on a South Shore neighborhood, using a Black Hawk helicopter to rappel onto residential buildings.[22][23] The FBI, U.S. Border Patrol, and ATF assisted in the operation. DHS stated it arrested 37 people in the raid.[24] Eyewitness reports stated that several U.S. citizens were removed from their homes, zip-tied and detained by federal agents for around three hours before being released. Reports on the raid stated that some children were taken from the building while naked.[25][26][27]

October 1

[edit]

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a first-of-its-kind restriction on drones over Chicago.[28] According to Newsweek, the restriction was at the request of DHS.[29] Centered on Chicago, the restriction zone measured 35 miles (56 km) wide, larger than those imposed over Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon during similar law-enforcement operations.[29]

October 3

[edit]
No More Deportations protest at the Broadview ICE facility, October 3, 2025

Alderwoman Jessie Fuentes of Chicago, a Puerto Rican US citizen, was handcuffed by federal agents inside of an ER. They threatened her with arrest before releasing her outside of the hospital.[30] In Logan Square, an ICE agent threw smoke grenades onto a crowded street, affecting several bystanders.[31]

October 4

[edit]

U.S. Border Patrol agents shot a woman after, according to a report from the Department of Homeland Security, their patrol vehicle was boxed in and then rammed by 10 other vehicles.[32] Local community groups disputed federal claims that the agents had been boxed in, claiming that federal agents crashed into a civilian car and caused a multi-car crash.[33][34] The victim was taken to a local hospital and discharged later that day. Protests broke out in the area of the shooting, and federal agents shot pepper balls and tear gas at the protesters.[35]

Over 500 national guard troops were deployed to the Chicago area from Illinois and Texas by the White House.[36]

October 6

[edit]

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order prohibiting federal agencies from using city property for civil immigration enforcement.[37] Dariana Fajardo, a U.S. citizen, was detained by ICE agents in Waukegan, Illinois. They claimed she was trying to box in ICE vehicles, a claim she and community leaders denied.[38]

October 7

[edit]

Trump sent the National Guard to Chicago against the wishes of Governor J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson, and a lawsuit filed by the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago to declare the deployment illegal was pending until a court hearing on October 9.[39]

Two workers at a cemetery in Forest Park, Illinois were detained by ICE agents after attempting to help a man who was struggling in the Des Plaines River near the cemetery's perimiter. ICE agents pepper sprayed them before tackling, zip-tying and shackling them.[40]

October 8

[edit]

A federal grand jury refused to indict a couple arrested while legally carrying firearms in Broadview, Illinois in September. Prosecutors also abandoned charges against a third protester arrested on Sept. 27 after reviewing new body camera footage of their arrest.[41]

[edit]

Chicago journalists and unions filed a lawsuit against ICE and the Department of Homeland Security, alleging that the federal government used "extreme force" against reporters and television crews during protests in Broadview, Illinois. The village of Broadview also filed a lawsuit over fencing surrounding the facility, and three criminal investigations into ICE activity.[42][43]

A federal judge ruled that ICE agents illegally arrested 22 people in Chicago without warrants, in violation of the Castañon Nava consent decree. Such arrests violated a three-year consent decree banning warrantless arrests unless agents have probable cause to believe someone is in the United States unlawfully and is a flight risk. The judge ordered ICE to reimburse all bond payments and lift any imposed conditions of release, in addition to making monthly disclosures of how many warrantless arrests agents make each month until the agreement’s new expiration date.[44]

Local and state leaders filed a lawsuit objecting and challenging the deployment of the national guard to Chicago in early October 2025. US District Judge April Perry, stated at an emergency hearing that the deployment could continue forward but any troop action before the October 9 hearing could be used as evidence against the Trump administration.[45][46]

Reaction

[edit]

Mayor Brandon Johnson said Chicago received “no notice of any enhanced immigration action,” calling the operation “militarized immigration enforcement.”[47][48] Governor JB Pritzker accused federal officials of undermining the authority of local officials and suggested the possibility of taking legal action to challenge the surge.[49][50] Representative Lauren Underwood said she learned about the arrest counts at a meeting with ICE leadership.[51][52]

Local advocacy organizations organized protests outside the suburban ICE facilities while distributing "Know Your Rights" flyers in English and Spanish.[53] Community hotlines reported a surge in calls from community members looking for advice and reporting sightings of federal agents.[54]

In a post on Truth Social President Trump called for the arrests of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, and raised claims that the two were failing to protect ICE agents in Chicago. Pritzker responded on Twitter, calling Trumps demand part of the path to "full-blown authoritarianism" and that he and Johnson were elected officials checking Trump on his actions.[46]

See also

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Operation Midway Blitz.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Trump Administration Says It Has Begun Immigration Crackdown in Chicago". September 8, 2025. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  2. ^ "ICE Launches Operation Midway Blitz in Honor of Katie Abraham to Target Criminal Illegal Aliens Terrorizing Americans in Sanctuary Illinois | Homeland Security". www.dhs.gov. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  3. ^ a b Kapos, Shia (September 9, 2025). "Trump's 'Midway Blitz' hits Chicago". POLITICO. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  4. ^ "'Midway Blitz' ICE operation crackdown begins in Chicago as local leaders push back". ABC7 Chicago. September 9, 2025. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  5. ^ Savage, Charlie (June 8, 2025). "Key Legal Questions in Trump's Order of National Guard to LA Protests". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  6. ^ Ali, Idrees; Landay, Jonathan (August 22, 2025). "In latest purge, Hegseth removes head of Pentagon intelligence agency, other senior officials". Reuters. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
  7. ^ Samuels, Brett (September 30, 2025). "Trump suggests using 'dangerous' US cities as 'training grounds' for military". The Hill. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  8. ^ Seldon, Aja (August 22, 2025). "Trump threatens to send National Guard to San Francisco". KTVU FOX 2. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  9. ^ Hernandez, Joe (August 24, 2025). "Illinois officials blast Trump's threat to deploy National Guard in Chicago". NPR. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  10. ^ "Trump threatens to send federal troops into Chicago and New York City". MSNBC.com. August 22, 2025. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  11. ^ "Trump threatens to send the military to Baltimore to 'clean up' crime". NBC News. August 24, 2025. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
  12. ^ Team, CBS Chicago (September 16, 2025). ""Operation Midway Blitz" immigration operations underway in Chicago: Live updates". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
  13. ^ Boyette, Chris; Romine, Taylor (September 11, 2025). "DHS says the crackdown in Chicago is in honor of 20-year-old Katie Abraham. Here's what we know about her death". CNN. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  14. ^ "DHS Secretary Noem in Chicago as ICE Operation Midway Blitz ramps up". ABC7 Chicago. September 16, 2025. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
  15. ^ "FDA, US Marshals conduct raid at warehouse in Bensenville, seize vaping products, officials say". ABC7 Chicago. September 10, 2025. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
  16. ^ Chilukuri, Siri (October 4, 2025). "Body slamming, teargas and pepper balls: viral videos show Ice using extreme force in Chicago". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077.
  17. ^ Thomas, Pierre (September 10, 2025). "Chicago immigration enforcement surge begins with 3 arrests: ICE". ABC News. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
  18. ^ "Nearly 550 arrested during Chicago area immigration crackdown so far, official says - CBS Chicago". www.cbsnews.com. September 19, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  19. ^ a b Hernandez, Cindy (September 13, 2025). "Man fatally shot by ICE in Franklin Park had just dropped off his child at school, Rep. Delia Ramirez says". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
  20. ^ "ICE agent shoots, kills man in Franklin Park, Illinois, after suspect tries to drive into agents, DHS says - CBS Chicago". www.cbsnews.com. September 12, 2025. Retrieved September 13, 2025.
  21. ^ "Armed Federal Agents Patrol Downtown, The Gold Coast To Chants Of 'Shame'". September 28, 2025.
  22. ^ Riess, Rebekah; Kirkos, Bill (October 3, 2025). "37 people arrested and American kids separated from parents after ICE raid at Chicago apartments". CNN. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
  23. ^ Rahman, Billal (October 1, 2025). "ICE Agents Rappel From Black Hawk Helicopters Into Chicago for Major Raid". Newsweek.
  24. ^ Hernandez, Cindy (October 1, 2025). "Massive immigration raid on Chicago apartment building leaves residents reeling: 'I feel defeated'". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
  25. ^ Hernandez, Cindy (October 1, 2025). "Massive immigration raid on Chicago apartment building leaves residents reeling: 'I feel defeated'". WBEZ Chicago.
  26. ^ "Feds Detained 4 Children Who Are US Citizens During Controversial ICE Raid". October 3, 2025.
  27. ^ "ICE Agents Dragged Naked Children Out of Homes in Chicago Raid: Neighbors". October 3, 2025.
  28. ^ "Federal Aviation Administration". tfrweb. Archived from the original on October 2, 2025. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
  29. ^ a b Struett, David (October 2, 2025). "FAA sets unprecedented drone restrictions over Chicago as feds step up immigration arrests". WBEZ. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
  30. ^ Parrella-Aureli, Ariel; Mercado, Melody (October 3, 2025). "Federal Agents Handcuff Chicago Alderperson At Hospital ER". Chicago Block Club.
  31. ^ Mercado, Melody (October 3, 2025). "Family, Grocery Shoppers Run As Masked Agent Throws Smoke Bomb Onto Busy Chicago Street". Chicago Block Club.
  32. ^ "Vehicles Again Used as Weapon in Attack against DHS Law Enforcement, Officers Forced to Fire Weapon on Armed Woman in Chicago | Homeland Security". www.dhs.gov. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
  33. ^ Ward, Joe (October 5, 2025). "Federal Agent Shoots Woman In Brighton Park, Causing Tense Scene With Protesters". Block Club Chicago.
  34. ^ Hickman, Renee (October 8, 2025). "Bodycam footage conflicts with DHS account of Chicago woman's shooting by Border Patrol, lawyer says". Reuters.
  35. ^ Schuba, Tom; Hernandez, Cindy; Kuznikov, Selena; Puente, Michael; Norkol, Mary; Oliver, Jesse (October 4, 2025). "Federal agents shoot woman they say 'boxed in' authorities on Chicago's South Side". WBEZ Chicago.
  36. ^ Meisel, Andrew Adams & Hannah (October 5, 2025). "Trump sending 300 National Guardsmen to Chicago, Pritzker says". USA TODAY. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  37. ^ Victory, Lauren; Tenenbaum, Sara (October 6, 2025). "Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signs order prohibiting use of city property for immigration enforcement". CBS News Chicago.
  38. ^ Crews, Julian; Illers, Ethan (October 7, 2025). "'This is un-American': Community leaders condemn ICE arrest of U.S. citizen in Waukegan". WGN 9.
  39. ^ Fernando, Christine (October 8, 2025). "Illinois leaders are waiting to see what's next with Trump's use of National Guard". AP News.
  40. ^ Crews, Julian (October 8, 2025). "ICE agents clash with cemetery workers attempting to help man in Des Plaines River". WGN 9.
  41. ^ Montemayor, Stephen (October 8, 2025). "Feds Had 'Less Evidence Than A Ham Sandwich' In Dismissed Armed Protester Case, Lawyer Says". Block Club Chicago.
  42. ^ Jordan, Karen (October 6, 2025). "Journalists, unions sue ICE, DHS alleging 'extreme force' during Broadview detention center protests". ABC 7 Chicago.
  43. ^ Liederman, Mack (September 29, 2025). "ICE Fires Chemical Weapon At TV Reporter In Broadview; 'Unprovoked' Attack Under Investigation". Block Club Chicago.
  44. ^ DeVore, Molly; Montemayor, Stephen (October 7, 2025). "ICE Violated Consent Decree With Warrantless Arrests, Federal Judge In Chicago Says". Block Club Chicago.
  45. ^ Mayes-Osterman, Cybele (October 6, 2025). "National Guard troops in limbo as Trump battles courts over Chicago, Portland deployments". USA TODAY. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  46. ^ a b Ramirez, Christopher Cann and Marc (October 8, 2025). "Trump threatens jail for Chicago mayor, Illinois gov. amid ICE, National Guard tension". USA TODAY. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  47. ^ Team, CBS Chicago (September 16, 2025). ""Operation Midway Blitz" immigration operations underway in Chicago: Live updates". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
  48. ^ "ICE launches operation in Chicago despite objections from mayor and Illinois governor". NBC News. September 9, 2025. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
  49. ^ King, Cody (September 4, 2025). "Pritzker: If Trump sends federal troops to Chicago, we'll 'immediately go to court'". FOX 32 Chicago. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  50. ^ "Illinois politicians condemn Trump's threat to deploy National Guard to Chicago". ABC7 Chicago. August 25, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  51. ^ Press, The Associated (September 16, 2025). "The Latest: FBI Director Kash Patel clashes with Democrats at congressional hearing". Yakima Herald-Republic. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  52. ^ "Ranking Member Underwood Shares Updates with Community Following Briefing on Illinois Operations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement | Representative Lauren Underwood". underwood.house.gov. September 15, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  53. ^ Team, CBS Chicago (September 21, 2025). ""Operation Midway Blitz" immigration operations underway in Chicago: Live updates". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  54. ^ "Hundreds of hotline calls but no clear arrest numbers days into federal immigration 'blitz'". Chicago Tribune. September 11, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.