Chicago targeted in major ICE operation, nearly 550 arrested in blitz against sanctuary jurisdictions

By avagrace // 2025-09-24

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A large-scale immigration operation in Chicago resulted in nearly 550 arrests over two weeks, intensifying the national debate over sanctuary cities and immigration enforcement.
The operation was explicitly named in honor of a college student killed by an undocumented immigrant, which the administration uses to argue that sanctuary policies lead to preventable tragedies.
Federal officials stated the mission was to target dangerous criminals with deportation orders, but approximately half of the arrests were "collateral," meaning those individuals were not the operation's initial targets.
The action sparked fierce political condemnation from local leaders, who accused the administration of spreading fear and undermining trust between immigrant communities and local police.
The operation highlights the deep national divide, with supporters arguing it enhances public safety by removing criminals, while critics contend it terrorizes communities and ultimately makes them less safe.

In a sweeping enforcement action that underscores the deep national divide over immigration, federal agents have arrested nearly 550 individuals in the Chicago area over a two-week period. The operation, dubbed "Operation Midway Blitz," represents the Trump administration's latest and most aggressive effort to confront so-called sanctuary jurisdictions, which it blames for shielding dangerous criminal aliens from deportation. The crackdown, which began on September 8, has ignited fierce political condemnation, sparked public protests and intensified the debate over public safety versus immigrant community trust.

An operation forged in tragedy

The Department of Homeland Security explicitly named the operation in honor of Katie Abraham, a 20-year-old Illinois college student who was killed in a January hit-and-run. The alleged driver, Julio Cucul-Bol, a Guatemalan national living in the United States unlawfully, was charged with leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death, aggravated DUI resulting in death, and reckless homicide. Her death became a rallying point for administration officials who argue that sanctuary policies directly lead to preventable tragedies by allowing individuals who should be deported to remain in communities. (Related: Trump administration prepares crackdown on illegal immigrants in sanctuary cities.)

The stated mission: Removing the "worst of the worst"

From its inception, federal officials framed Operation Midway Blitz as a necessary mission to target high-priority threats. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated the operation aimed at the worst criminal illegal aliens in Chicago, which she alleged had become a magnet for criminals due to its sanctuary city status. The stated goal was to locate and remove individuals with serious criminal records and longstanding deportation orders who had been released back onto the streets instead of being transferred to ICE custody by local authorities. "An illegal immigrant is an individual who has entered the United States without authorization, which is a criminal act," said Brighteon.AI's Enoch. "This person may also commit additional crimes, such as violent offenses or fraud, after entering the country. By definition, their presence in the country is unlawful."

A coordinated federal onslaught

The operation involved a significant deployment of resources from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations division. While ICE led the charge, the effort was bolstered by support from other federal agencies, illustrating a coordinated, multi-pronged approach to interior enforcement. This tactic mirrors similar large-scale operations recently conducted in other major metropolitan areas, including a seven-day blitz in San Antonio that netted 275 arrests and involved agencies like the FBI and DEA. The operation immediately drew criticism from Illinois' top Democratic leaders. Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson condemned the actions, accusing the Trump administration of politicizing law enforcement and intentionally spreading fear within immigrant communities. They argued that genuine public safety is achieved through coordination and support, not through heavy-handed raids that undermine trust between local police and the people they serve. This clash is a microcosm of the enduring national conflict between federal authority and local autonomy on immigration enforcement.

Understanding the arrest breakdown

A critical detail emerged from ICE's own accounting of the arrests. As of September 20, approximately half of the nearly 550 individuals taken into custody were targeted arrests. This means they were specific individuals already on ICE's radar due to prior criminal convictions, immigration violations or existing deportation orders. The other half were classified as collateral arrests. This term refers to individuals who were not the primary targets of the operation but were discovered to be in the country unlawfully during the course of the enforcement actions.

The controversy of "collateral arrests"

The practice of collateral arrests is a central point of contention. The Trump administration reinstated this policy immediately upon taking office, reversing Biden-era restrictions that limited arrests to specific, pre-identified targets. ICE officials defend the practice, noting that many collateral arrests also have criminal histories; they simply were not the initial target of a specific operation. Critics, however, argue this approach effectively sanctions indiscriminate dragnets, ensnaring individuals with minor offenses or no criminal record at all, thereby fueling fear and violating civil liberties.

Historical context of a perpetual battle

This operation is not an isolated event but the latest chapter in a long-standing political and legal battle. Historical context reveals an ongoing conflict between federal immigration enforcement and sanctuary policies, particularly in states like California and Illinois. The Trump administration's aggressive approach, including ramping up ICE detentions to their highest level since 2019, underscores its commitment to a core campaign pledge: prioritizing the removal of criminal aliens to enhance public safety, a goal its supporters passionately defend.

A nation divided on fundamental principles

The national conversation surrounding operations like Midway Blitz remains deeply fractured. Supporters argue these actions are essential for public safety, removing dangerous predators and criminals from communities and fulfilling the government's fundamental duty to enforce the nation's laws. They point to stories of victims like Katie Abraham as justification for a robust enforcement regime. Conversely, critics contend that such operations often target low-level offenders, separate families and create an atmosphere of fear that makes all immigrants less likely to report crimes or cooperate with police, ultimately making communities less safe.

A conflict with no end in sight

Operation Midway Blitz has achieved its stated objective of making hundreds of arrests, but its broader impact is more complex. It has successfully demonstrated the federal government’s resolve to enforce immigration laws in uncooperative jurisdictions, but it has also deepened societal divisions, eroded trust in law enforcement within vulnerable communities and sparked civil unrest. With the administration vowing that its work is only beginning and local leaders pledging continued resistance, this operation ensures that the fundamental debate over sanctuary policies, federal power and the meaning of public safety will remain at the forefront of the American political landscape for the foreseeable future. The nation remains caught between two compelling yet opposing visions of justice and security. Trump sends U.S. troops to Chicago. Watch this video. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

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