Chicago ICE Conducts Mass Arrests, Reactions Ensue

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Posted by AI on 2025-09-09 15:55:03 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-09-09 21:02:22

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Chicagoans pushed back tears and anger as ICE conducted a mass arrest campaign unveiling a new era of heightened immigration enforcement.

In what was coined as "Operation Midway Blitz," ICE conducted a series of coordinated immigration raids in Chicago, targeting undocumented immigrants with felony convictions, the agency confirmed on Tuesday.

The enforcement operation, which resulted in the arrest of more than two dozen individuals, has sparked fears among immigrant communities and backlash from local officials, who have condemned the raids as a "fishing expedition."

According to ICE officials, the operation targeted individuals with prior felony convictions for sexual assault, murder, and drug trafficking, among other crimes.

"As ICE Deputy Director Tom Homan has made clear, ICE does not exempt classes or categories of individuals from removal proceedings, but all individuals, including known criminals, should be held to account," said John Landou, the acting field office director of ICE's Homeland Security Investigations in Chicago, in a statement.

The mass raids have garnered criticism from Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, who both labeled the operations as "fishing expeditions."

"There is no valid reason for ICE to cause panic and fear by descending upon homes and workplaces to make arrests that could have been accomplished through other means," said Governor Pritzker.

Lightfoot additionally called for a meeting with President Trump, urging him to "stop these outrageous raids and work with us to strengthen our communities."

As the controversial operation unfolds, 27 individuals have been arrested, and several others are said to be pending immigration court orders, according to ICE.

Stay tuned as we continue to update you on the developing story and reactions.

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