Chicago: The Trump administration on Monday announced the launch of “Operation Midway Blitz,” an immigration enforcement drive in Chicago and other parts of Illinois. The move has already drawn sharp criticism from local Democratic leaders who accuse President Donald Trump of politicising immigration enforcement.
Details Of The Operation
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the operation was necessary because of Illinois’ and Chicago’s “sanctuary” laws, which restrict cooperation with federal immigration authorities. While Trump had earlier hinted at sending National Guard troops to the city, the current initiative appears to resemble traditional immigration raids rather than a military-style deployment.
According to DHS, the focus will be on individuals in the US illegally who were convicted of crimes but released from local jails under sanctuary rules. The list included those accused or convicted of assault, burglary, drug possession, and gang-related activities.
Political Reactions
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, both Democrats, slammed the move. Pritzker said the administration was trying to “produce a reality television show” and warned that Trump could use the operation to influence the 2026 midterm elections.
“The Governor’s Office has received no formal communication from the Trump administration. Like the public and press, we are learning of their operations through social media,” Pritzker’s spokesperson said.
Trump’s Defence
Trump defended the action in a Truth Social post, citing rising crime in Chicago. “I want to help the people of Chicago, not hurt them. Only the criminals will be hurt! We can move fast and stop this madness,” he wrote.
Days earlier, Trump posted a meme referencing the Vietnam War film Apocalypse Now, showing the Chicago skyline engulfed in flames with helicopters overhead — a move critics described as inflammatory.
Parallel Operations
Officials also confirmed that a parallel immigration enforcement operation had recently been launched in Boston. Similar to Chicago, it targets undocumented immigrants with prior criminal records.
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