ICE Surge in Chicago Sparks Tension, Fears of National Guard Deployment
- Natalie Frank
- Sep 17
- 1 min read
Operation Midway Blitz expands across Illinois as leaders clash over transparency, safety, and federal power
Natalie C. Frank, Ph.D September 17, 2025
CHICAGO - The federal government has dramatically increased immigration enforcement in the Chicago area by sending a specialized police unit to the city this week. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed the crackdown, which was launched earlier this month under the code name Operation Midway Blitz. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has launched a simultaneous effort called Operation At Large.
How the two initiatives differ remains uncertain. Both have spilled over from Chicago into the surrounding suburbs, with residents spotting federal agents in unmarked vehicles. Ambiguity on scope and duration has fueled mounting dismay within Illinois officials, who claim to be kept in the dark about the means employed by the federal government.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, a close Trump ally who flew in for the Chicago rollout, underscored the administration's aggressive approach.
“President Trump has been clear: if politicians will not put the safety of their citizens first, this administration will,” Noem said. “I was on the ground in Chicago today to make clear we are not backing down.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker sharply criticized the enforcement secrecy, adding that the lack of coordination with local law enforcement endangers public safety.
“When they (local law enforcement) see skirmishes going on, they don’t know if those are real ICE officials, especially if they’re wearing masks and in unmarked cars and aren’t carrying or showing their identification,” Pritzker said.
