Federal immigration authorities have arrested nearly 550 people in the Chicago area in less than two weeks.
The sweep, called “Operation Midway Blitz,” is part of a Trump administration crackdown on sanctuary cities.
The Operation
The Department of Homeland Security launched the operation on Sept. 8.
Officials said the mission targets criminals with deportation orders and serious records.
It was named after Katie Abraham, a 20-year-old killed in January by a drunk-driving illegal immigrant.
Katie Abraham
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin called the arrests “a testament” to DHS law enforcement.
She said Chicago has become a “magnet for criminals” under sanctuary policies.
The operation has netted suspects charged with assault, stalking, DUI, and even murder.
McLaughlin said the goal is to remove “the worst of the worst.”
Federal Messaging
“President Trump and Secretary Noem have a clear message,” McLaughlin said.
“No city is a safe haven for criminal illegal aliens.”
She said anyone who breaks U.S. law after crossing illegally will be “hunted down.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem traveled to Chicago to highlight the arrests.
“Our work is only beginning,” Noem told reporters on Sept. 16.
She said the administration will act if local politicians will not.
The crackdown follows repeated White House criticism of Illinois’ sanctuary laws.
Local Backlash
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker condemned the operation as “politicizing law enforcement.”
He said the administration is spreading fear instead of cooperating on safety.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson also denounced the raids as divisive.
Brandon Johnson
“This isn’t about fighting crime,” Pritzker argued in a statement.
He said Trump officials failed to coordinate with state and city leaders.
Both leaders pledged to keep Illinois a sanctuary state despite federal pressure.
They accused DHS of stoking fear in immigrant communities.
Arrest Totals
ICE officials said about half of the arrests were targeted individuals.
Those included people already on ICE’s radar for convictions or violations.
The other half were “collateral arrests” of people found in the country illegally.
Marcos Charles, acting head of ICE Enforcement and Removal, defended the practice.
He said many collateral arrests also involved criminal charges.
DHS said the operation will continue across Chicago in the weeks ahead.
The agency reported over 400,000 illegal immigrants arrested nationwide this year.
Protests
Protests broke out near ICE’s Broadview Processing Center on Sept. 19.
Federal officials said rioters assaulted officers, slashed tires, and blocked entrances.
DHS later sent warning letters to Illinois, California, and New York.
The letters demanded compliance with ICE detainer requests from local jails.
“Sanctuary state politicians should side with law-abiding Americans,” McLaughlin said.
She said failing to honor detainers puts communities at risk of more crime.
