Trump Administration has launched immigration crackdown in Chicago.
NaijaOnPoint Nigeria reports that the Trump administration announced on Monday a new immigration enforcement operation in Chicago, targeting what federal officials described as the “worst of the worst criminals.” The initiative, dubbed “Operation Midway Blitz”, comes amid rising tensions between the federal government and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a Democrat, over sanctuary city policies.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the operation will focus on apprehending criminal illegal immigrants who have allegedly been released onto Chicago’s streets, including members of gangs and individuals charged with serious crimes. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin accused state leaders of putting residents at risk by allowing dangerous offenders to roam free.
Governor Pritzker pushed back, saying the operation was not coordinated with local authorities and aimed more at intimidating residents than fighting crime. In posts on X, he urged citizens to know their rights and resist unauthorized enforcement actions.
The DHS released a list of 11 targeted individuals, along with names, photos, and criminal histories. Federal authorities emphasized that the crackdown builds on previous anti-immigrant operations in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles, now extending to Chicago, which President Trump has frequently labeled a “hell-hole” due to gun violence.
Political Fallout
US Senator Dick Durbin criticized the move, calling it a “waste of money” and a distraction from real public safety concerns. “This administration is now ramping up its campaign to arrest hardworking immigrants with no criminal convictions,” Durbin said.
President Trump, seeking to soften his rhetoric, posted on social media that the operation targeted criminals, not law-abiding residents. Over the weekend, he had shared a provocative AI-generated image depicting a militarized Chicago skyline and referencing the film Apocalypse Now, which sparked public protests and drew thousands to the streets in opposition.
Governor Pritzker responded sharply: “This is not a joke. This is not normal… Illinois won’t be intimidated by a wannabe dictator.”
The standoff highlights growing tensions between federal immigration authorities and local leadership in major US cities, raising questions about coordination, civil rights, and public safety in heavily populated areas.