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 reviewed a description of the person, ensured their radios were on the same channel, and discussed nearby hospitals in case of emergencies.
Across the city and suburbs, other teams were mobilizing for ‘Operation Midway Blitz,’ part of President Donald Trump’s mass deportation strategy in a state known for its resistance to local cooperation with immigration enforcement.
The operation commenced on September 8, raising alarm among activists and immigrant communities anxious over aggressive tactics reminiscent of past operations. Reports of an increased presence of immigration enforcement agents have surfaced, though a military deployment to Chicago remains unconfirmed.
A predawn wait, then two arrests
“He got into the car. I’m not sure if that’s the target,” a voice crackled over the radio.
An individual fitting the description exited a house, entered a vehicle, and drove away. Uncertain, the officers tailed the car. As it approached the freeway, the radio relayed: “He’s got the physical description. We just can’t see his face.”
“Do it,” said Marcos Charles, the acting head of ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations.
Agents swiftly boxed in the vehicle. After conversing with the driver, they determined he wasn’t the target but was here illegally, leading to his arrest.
Minutes later, as dawn broke over the neighborhood, the actual suspect emerged and was detained as well. ICE confirmed both individuals faced deportation due to their criminal histories.
Charles deemed the operation a success, asserting there were no safety issues during the arrests.
‘ICE does not belong here’
Critics argue such assessments misrepresent the reality of immigration operations. Activist groups cite examples of excessive force, like ICE smashing windows to apprehend individuals as evidence of escalating violence.
Charles defended ICE's approach, attributing confrontations with suspects to a rise in non-compliance influenced by radical activist rhetoric.
“We’re not here to cause chaos. The president is,” responded Alderman Andre Vasquez, criticizing ICE for provoking activists and escalating tensions.
Shooting death of immigrant by ICE officer heightens tensions
The situation escalated further after a shooting incident on September 12, when an ICE officer fatally shot Silverio Villegas González, a Mexican immigrant, during an attempted arrest. The confrontation raised serious concerns about the use of force and accountability, especially as the officer involved was not wearing a body camera.
Activists and local leaders condemned these tactics, linking them to the tragic loss of community lives.
‘It was time to hit Chicago’
Charles disclosed there is no set end date for the operation, noting nearly 550 arrests have been made, with a significant percentage deemed targeted. He emphasized ICE's commitment to focusing on individuals with criminal records, insisting that they are not operating indiscriminately.
Stressing the need for action, Charles said, “It was time to hit Chicago.”
