The Trump administration has launched a sweeping immigration enforcement operation in Chicago, escalating political tensions in Illinois and reigniting the national debate over immigration policy.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the operation — codenamed “Midway Blitz” — just days after former President Donald Trump threatened to deploy National Guard troops to Illinois. The move sparked a fiery exchange with Democratic Governor JB Pritzker, who accused the administration of engaging in “political theater.”
“For years, Governor Pritzker and his fellow sanctuary politicians released Tren de Aragua gang members, rapists, kidnappers, and drug traffickers on Chicago’s streets — putting American lives at risk and making Chicago a magnet for criminals,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin in a statement.
Governor Pritzker dismissed the claims, writing on X (formerly Twitter) that the raids “aren’t about fighting crime” but rather about stoking fear. “The Trump Administration is focused on scaring Illinoisians,” he added, noting that federal officials had not coordinated with local law enforcement.
As part of the operation, DHS released names, photographs, and criminal records of 11 individuals described as “criminal illegal aliens” currently being sought for arrest.
This Chicago crackdown follows earlier immigration sweeps in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. Trump, who has long criticized Chicago as a “hell-hole” plagued by violence, has made the city a centerpiece of his broader anti-immigration campaign.
Illinois Senator Dick Durbin strongly condemned the raids, saying they “don’t make us safer. They are a waste of money, stoke fear, and represent another failed attempt at a distraction.” He further accused the Trump administration of targeting “hardworking immigrants with no criminal convictions.”
Trump, meanwhile, took to social media to defend the operation, posting memes, videos, and messages reinforcing his hardline stance. “I want to help the people of Chicago, not hurt them. Only the criminals will be hurt!” he declared.
However, his tone came under fire after sharing an AI-generated image portraying himself as Colonel Kilgore from Apocalypse Now, standing over a burning Chicago skyline with the caption: “I love the smell of deportations in the morning.”
“This is not a joke. This is not normal,” Governor Pritzker said in response. “Illinois won’t be intimidated by a wannabe dictator.” He also advised Illinois residents to know their rights during ICE encounters, emphasizing that agents cannot enter a home without a valid warrant.
As the immigration raids continue, the political showdown between Trump and Illinois leaders highlights the deep divisions over immigration policy in the United States.
