More than 400 arrests in Chicago-area immigration operation, top ICE official says

More than 400 people have been arrested in the Chicago area as part of an immigration enforcement operation that launched on Sept. 8, according to Marcos Charles, acting head of ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations. Charles spoke with The Associated Press in Park Ridge, Illinois, highlighting the size and scope of the campaign as the operation unfolded in the greater Chicago area.

Charles said the 400 arrests include contributions from other federal agencies assisting in the campaign, and he described the total as a solid number. He noted there is no end date in sight and that the operation will continue until ICE feels it has been successful. The operation, dubbed Midway Blitz, follows similar efforts in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.

Activists and immigrant-rights advocates have raised concerns about the scale and tactics of the crackdown, saying there has been a noticeable uptick in enforcement in communities already fearful of deportations. They also point to reports that two U.S. citizens were briefly detained this week by federal officers conducting immigration-enforcement operations, underscoring the perceived reach of the effort. Separately, authorities said a man was shot by an ICE officer on Sept. 12 after authorities said he tried to flee during a traffic stop, an incident that has drawn scrutiny from community groups and policymakers.

Charles said roughly 50% to 60% of arrests in the Chicago operation were targeted arrests—meaning ICE was seeking specific individuals who had committed crimes, had a final order of removal, or had otherwise drawn ICE’s attention. The remaining arrests were collateral arrests, described as people ICE comes across during operations who are in the country illegally but were not the person ICE initially sought. He noted that collateral arrests can involve individuals with prior criminal convictions, though they were not the primary target at the time.

Policy changes around collateral arrests have been a point of contention in national debates over immigration enforcement. Advocates have argued that collateral arrests can sweep in people who pose little risk or contribute to communities in unintended ways, while supporters say such arrests help remove individuals who are not staying in the country lawfully. The Trump administration eased restrictions on collateral arrests early in its first term, while the Biden administration imposed tighter controls, a dynamic that has influenced how enforcement campaigns have been conducted in various jurisdictions.

The DHS initiative to launch Midway Blitz came after months of criticism from the Trump administration about Chicago and Illinois policies that limit cooperation between local law enforcement and ICE. DHS has argued that such policies hinder removal of individuals who have committed crimes and can be deported under federal law, while local officials and immigrant-rights advocates contend that cooperation with ICE can deter crime reporting and make communities less safe. ICE says it must pursue removals when eligible, even as local authorities emphasize safety and trust in policing as shared goals.

Community leaders and local officials have urged a careful approach, warning that aggressive enforcement can erode trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement, potentially deterring victims and witnesses from coming forward to report crimes. They emphasize the importance of distinguishing between people who pose immediate safety risks and those who are living in the country illegally but have no involvement with crime.

The operation is expected to continue as ICE and partner agencies assess progress and determine next steps in the campaign, with officials signaling that there is no predetermined end date. As enforcement activity persists, communities across the Chicago region remain focused on how such operations affect public safety and the daily lives of residents who are witnesses, victims, or neighbors in immigrant communities.