Homeland Security agents arrested more than 800 illegal immigrants as part of its “Operation Midway Blitz” and the massive raids will continue despite the government shutdown.
Among those arrested were rapists, individuals with DUI convictions and previously-deportation illegal immigrants, according to the Department of Homeland Security. In one part of the operation, roughly 300 federal agents descended upon an apartment complex teeming with suspected Tren de Aragua gang members.
“The Trump Administration will not allow violent criminals or repeat offenders to terrorize our neighborhoods or victimize our children and innocent Americans,” Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement regarding the arrests.
The Trump administration’s immigration raids in Chicago and the nearby suburbs started in September, with the deployment of additional Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol agents to the Windy City. In response, protestors have taken to the streets in an attempt to block the agents from arresting illegal immigrants.
Rioters have also targeted an ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois, laying their hands on agents, hurling tear gas at them and slashing the tires of their cars.
While federal agents worked to clean the Chicago streets, Democratic Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker expressed his disapproval of the effort.
“The Trump Administration’s DHS officers appear to be carrying large weapons around downtown Chicago in camouflage and masks. This is not making anybody safer — it’s a show of intimidation, instilling fear in our communities and hurting our businesses,” Pritzker wrote on X Sunday.
DHS, however, remains undeterred, said McLaughlin.
“We will not allow sanctuary politicians or violent rioters to stop us from enforcing the law and arresting pedophiles, murderers, gang members, rapists, and domestic abusers from American communities,” she said.
