Massive Midwest Immigration Crackdown: Over 3,000 Arrests Unveiled by Noem

Share and Follow

Officials from the Department of Homeland Security are highlighting numerous arrests made as part of Operation Midway Blitz, asserting that the increased deployment of federal agents is enhancing safety in Chicago.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, along with other members of the Trump administration, underscores that this enforcement initiative, launched in early September, is specifically targeting the most dangerous individuals on Chicago’s streets.

Despite facing opposition from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, and local residents, Noem and senior immigration officials are determined to complete their mission in Chicago. Controversy persists surrounding the operation, particularly due to the use of tear gas and other chemical agents in neighborhoods and at a nearby Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility.

Gov. Pritzker has called for a pause in ICE activities over the Halloween weekend, reflecting ongoing tensions.

On Thursday, Noem and Todd Lyons, the acting director of ICE, held a press conference in Gary, Indiana, about 40 miles from Chicago, to discuss the operation. Noem emphasized the arrests of Mexican and Colombian nationals who obtained truck-driving licenses from “sanctuary” states such as California and Illinois.

The immigrants have previous convictions for cruelty toward a child, assault, driving under the influence of alcohol, drug offenses and other crimes, Noem said.

Lyons said when “Operation Midway Blitz” began, ICE was “out to rid the sanctuary status of Chicago.” He said officials knew problems existed beyond the city’s limits, but said “ICE protected Chicago when local leadership failed.”

In response to a push by Pritzker for DHS to pause enforcement operations for Halloween, Noem said the agency would “absolutely not” pause and will continue to focus on keeping communities said.

“The fact that Governor Pritzker is asking for that is shameful,” Noem said. “I think it’s unfortunate he doesn’t recognize how important the work that we do is to make sure we’re bringing criminals to justice.”

The two senior DHS officials’ appearance came two days after U.S. Border Patrol Commander-at-Large Gregory Bovino appeared before U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis, who has expressed concerns with the use of force being utilized by federal agents.

Bovino was ordered on Tuesday to meet daily with Ellis to review the daily operations of federal officers. However, on Wednesday, an Illinois appeals court issued a temporary stay on the order. Bovino told on Wednesday evening that CBP and ICE officers have not violated a temporary restraining order that was issued by Ellis earlier this month. Bovino characterized Operation Midway Blitz as “a resounding success”.

“We’re talking all sorts of bad people and bad things off the street,” Bovino told .

Bovino told that in addition to the more than 3,000 arrests that have been made thus far as part of Operation Midway Blitz, he is using the opinions of Chicago neighborhood residents as a measuring stick.

He said that residents living in communities where migrants who entered the U.S. illegally are operating “have no voice” because of the presence of dangerous migrant criminals. Bovino said that his agents are being asked by local community leaders to address residents on the tactics being used in enforcement operations.

He said that residents living in these neighborhoods are asking federal agencies not to stop doing what they’re doing.

“They’re that bought in now,” Bovino told on Wednesday. “They see us out there, they see we’re real, they see we’re affecting a mission that no one has ever done before …we give them a voice now.”