ICE Raids in Chicago Spur Protests, Violence, and National Guard Deployment
CHICAGO – Federal immigration raids in the Chicago area have ignited widespread unrest, culminating in protests, a shooting, and the deployment of the National Guard, sharply escalating tensions between local and federal authorities.
The operations, part of a targeted enforcement action dubbed “Operation Midway Blitz,” sparked chaotic protests outside the Broadview detention center. Among those arrested was University of Chicago professor Eman Abdelhadi. The situation turned violent in the Brighton Park neighborhood, where an anti-ICE protester was wounded in a shooting following a confrontation involving a vehicle.
In response to what the administration called “threats to agents,” President Donald Trump authorized the deployment of National Guard troops from Texas to secure federal facilities. These threats reportedly included a murder-for-hire plot against Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino, allegedly orchestrated by Juan Espinoza Martinez, an identified leader of the Latin Kings gang.
The federal actions have met with fierce resistance from Illinois officials. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has established “ICE-free zones,” barring federal immigration agents from using city property. Meanwhile, Governor JB Pritzker has taken legal action, filing a lawsuit against the federal government.
The turmoil in Chicago mirrors similar unrest in Portland, underscoring the growing national conflict between the federal government and state and local leaders over immigration enforcement policies. The standoff shows no signs of abating as legal and political battles intensify.
