Operation Midway Blitz: ICE's Aggressive Tactics Spark Controversy in Chicago

Wed Oct 22 2025 22:15:48 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In the wake of President Trump's Operation Midway Blitz, ICE officers conduct early morning raids in Chicago, drawing criticism from activists amidst concerns over aggressive tactics and rising tensions within immigrant communities.

A recent operation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Chicago as part of 'Operation Midway Blitz' has raised alarms among immigrant advocates. With reports of arrests and heightened tensions following an incident where an immigrant was shot, the operation is seen as a pivotal moment in the national immigration enforcement landscape. Local officials and activists criticize ICE's methods, claiming they threaten community safety and exacerbate fear within the immigrant population.

PARK RIDGE, Ill. (AP) — It was 3:30 a.m. when 10 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers gathered in a parking lot in the Chicago suburbs for a briefing about a suspect they were hoping to arrest. They went over a description of the person, made sure their radios were on the same channel and discussed where the closest hospital was in case something went wrong.

“Let’s plan on not being there,” said one of the officers, before they climbed into their vehicles and headed out.

Across the city and surrounding suburbs, other teams were fanning out in support of Operation Midway Blitz. This initiative has ignited President Donald Trump’s mass deportations agenda in a city known for its strong local laws that resist cooperation with immigration enforcement.

ICE launched the operation on Sept. 8, prompting concern from activists and immigrant communities who fear the large-scale arrests or aggressive tactics used in other cities targeted by the Republican president. Despite a noticeable increase in immigration enforcement agents, no military deployment to Chicago has taken place yet.

The Associated Press followed ICE on a ride-along in a Chicago suburb to witness the unfolding operation.

A predawn wait, then two arrests

A voice came over the radio: “He got into the car. I’m not sure if that’s the target.”

Someone matching the description of the man that ICE was pursuing drove away from a house. After a few minutes, ICE officers, unsure if they had their target, followed the vehicle.

“Do it,” said Marcos Charles, the acting head of ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations.

Agents boxed in the car. The individual turned out to be in the U.S. illegally and was taken into custody, while the operation continued. Shortly after dawn, ICE apprehended the suspect they were actually targeting. Both detainees had criminal records.

Charles labeled the operation a success, citing there were no safety issues.

‘ICE does not belong here’

However, activists argue that the operation's outcomes are increasingly harmful. Videos of aggressive tactics, including smashing windows and chaotic arrests, have emerged, fueling concerns about the methods employed by ICE agents.

Charles countered the criticism, asserting that agents are responding appropriately, claiming that suspects are often non-compliant due to incendiary rhetoric from activists.

Others, like Alderman Andre Vasquez, argue that ICE's actions are causing chaos, stating, “ICE does not belong here.” He held the agency responsible for escalating tensions during the operation.

Shooting death of immigrant by ICE officer heightens tensions

Further compounding tensions, an immigrant was fatally shot by an ICE officer during a September 12 incident. The officer claimed self-defense after being threatened while trying to apprehend the man, igniting further outrage.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has called for a full investigation into the shooting, alongside calls for accountability from immigrant advocates who state that such tactics risk lives.

“These tactics have led to the loss of life of one of our community members,” said state Rep. Norma Hernandez.

‘It was time to hit Chicago’

Charles stated that there is no end date for the operation, which has resulted in nearly 550 arrests, about half of which were targeted. He maintains that ICE is not indiscriminately arresting individuals, but rather focusing on those known to have committed crimes.

For too long, he contended, cities like Chicago have allowed immigrants with criminal records to evade consequences for their actions. Saying, “It was time to hit Chicago,” he emphasized the necessity of the ongoing operation.