CHICAGO – A major federal immigration enforcement operation in Chicago has led to hundreds of arrests and ignited violent protests, escalating tensions between Illinois state officials and federal agencies.
The operation, dubbed “Operation Midway Blitz” and launched on September 8, 2025, involved agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). In a show of force, agents conducted patrols in downtown Chicago and along the Chicago River. Federal authorities reported that the operation resulted in the arrests of over 250 undocumented individuals who had criminal records. The cited offenses included rape, battery, and affiliations with criminal gangs.
The enforcement actions provoked a strong public response. On September 28, protests outside an ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois, escalated into violence. According to officials, armed demonstrators assaulted law enforcement officers during the clash. Two individuals, Jocelyne Robledo and Ray Collins, were arrested on charges related to the assault, and authorities seized weapons including handguns and a knife from the protesters.
The operation has drawn sharp criticism from Illinois state leadership. On September 29, Governor J.B. Pritzker publicly condemned the federal raids, accusing them of sowing “fear and intimidation” in the sanctuary city. Governor Pritzker called for the federal agents to leave the state and highlighted reports of harassment against residents. In a move underscoring the heightened security concerns, he also confirmed a request for 100 military troops to protect ICE personnel in the area, a reflection of the volatile situation the operation has created.
