A Southwest Side alderman on Sunday said at least five people were arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in the Archer Heights neighborhood at the start of what the Trump Administration is now calling “Operation Midway Blitz.”
“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,” the Homeland Security press release said.
Ald. Jeylu Gutierrez (14th) said at least five people had been picked up by ICE agents.
Community activists said surveillance video from a nearby restaurant shows a man described as a flower vendor being detained at 50th and Pulaski by multiple individuals wearing bulletproof vests labelled “police” and “federal agent.”
Gutierrez said in a Facebook posting, “This is an attack on our hardworking people and our community as a whole- not just those who are undocumented.
“Please remain alert, support your neighbors and share this information with your loved ones. If you or someone you know has been impacted by these actions, please reach out to our office so we can connect you with resources.”
She reminded residents that they have rights regardless of their immigration status, including:
- You have the right to remain silent
- You have the right to film police and ICE activity
- You have the right to refuse to sign any documents without legal counsel
- You have the right to speak with an attorney
Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (D-4th) issued the following statement in response to President Trump launching Operation Midway Blitz:
“Operation Midway Blitz is a declaration of war on an American city and communities like mine. As Chicago continues to experience historic declines in violent crime, we know this is not a response to any real emergency, but a cruel show of authoritarian force designed to further criminalize immigrants, instigate civil unrest, and terrorize our communities.
“Masked thugs kidnapping parents, children, and workers does not make us safer. Weaponizing and unleashing the military against our own people does not make us safer. Racial profiling — now greenlit by extremist Supreme Court justices — does not make us safer. The reality is that a President who incited an insurrection, was found liable for rape, and was convicted of 34 felonies has zero credibility on public safety.
“My office is closely coordinating with officials at the federal, state, and local levels as we respond to this historic government overreach. We will ensure our constituents know their rights, conduct oversight, support legal challenges where appropriate, and use every tool at our disposal to fight back. Chicago values dignity, justice, and unity. We oppose any invasion or occupation of our city, and we demand Trump and his cronies stand down.”
Activists say at least two other detentions occurred in the area, including one at 47th Street and Archer Avenue. Video shows a man being marched to a vehicle by armed officers, and activists reported ICE activity as far south as 79th Street and Pulaski Road.
“We helped build this city through our labor and work,” Corina Pedraza with Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights told WGN-TV. “People may be afraid, but also they’re determined to say, ‘This is our home, this is where we belong. We won’t tolerate our people getting kidnapped.’”
ICE raids were also reported by residents in south suburban Crestwood.
Hundreds of ICE agents and other federal agents are expected to be conducting arrests for the next several weeks.
President Donald Trump has promised to send hundreds of ICE agents into the Chicago area as part of a deportation blitz he has ordered.
He also continues to make threats of sending in National Guard troops, although he has also raised the possibility of sending National Guardsmen into New Orleans instead.
ICE agents are based at the Great Lakes Naval Base in North Chicago while detainees are being processed at a facility in west suburban Broadview.
Gov. JB Pritzker said information gathered from sources indicates upcoming Mexican Independence Day celebrations could be ICE’s target.
According to Capitol News Illinois, Pritzker said he expects Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to employ the same aggressive strategies they used in Los Angeles earlier this summer after Trump said he will deploy the National Guard to Chicago.
The information, Pritzker said, was not directly communicated to him, but rather gleaned from anonymous sources in the federal government, military and “well-sourced” news reports. He said he’s been told members of the Texas National Guard are being readied for deployment to Chicago and many of the same federal ICE and Homeland Security groups that worked in L.A. are being relocated to Great Lakes.
Immigration justice groups have been busy raising awareness in immigrant communities on their rights when they interact with ICE agents or other federal authorities.
Advocates also said do not listen to social media reports on arrests or ICE raids.
You can follow organizations like The Resurrection Project and the Illinois Coalition of Immigrant and Refugee Rights on social media for verified updates. Resurrection Project streams immigration briefings on Facebook.
Here are some key things to know if confronted by ICE agents:
- All immigrants have the right to remain silent and can walk away from ICE agents if they are not being arrested or detained.
- Immigrants also have the right to refuse to hand over documents, open their home or allow agents to search their belongings without a signed warrant.
- Stay calm and observe: You are not required to answer questions or physically intervene, nor should you share personal information or information about others.
- You have the right to record: In public spaces, you can record ICE or federal agents from a safe distance, stating that you are recording and not interfering.
- Document what you see: Note details like time, date, location, badge numbers, names (if visible), agent descriptions, and license plate numbers.
- Report the incident: Contact trusted community hotlines or legal organizations to report the activity, such as the ICIRR Family Support Hotline in Illinois.