Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has vehemently condemned the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) "Operation Midway Blitz," a sudden surge in immigration enforcement in the city. The mayor's office claims it received no prior notification of the operation, sparking outrage and accusations of a lack of coordination and transparency from the federal government.
DHS announced the initiative, stating its intention to target "criminal illegal aliens" in Chicago. Spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin emphasized that the operation focuses on individuals with significant criminal records. However, the lack of specifics regarding the operation's duration and scope has fueled concerns among city officials and residents.
The DHS justified the operation by citing the tragic drunk-driving death of Katie Abraham in Urbana, Illinois. The driver, Julio Cucul Bol, a Guatemalan citizen, was apprehended in Texas while allegedly attempting to flee to Mexico and is now in custody. While Mr. Abraham expressed his grief and hope for preventing future tragedies, the use of his daughter's death to justify a sweeping immigration operation has drawn criticism.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, in a post on X, accused the Trump administration of failing to collaborate with state and local authorities. He asserted that the operation is not about enhancing public safety but rather about instilling fear among Illinois residents.
Mayor Johnson echoed these concerns, highlighting ICE's documented history of human rights abuses, including the detention and deportation of U.S. citizens. He cited over 500 documented instances of abuse since the Trump administration began, including deaths in detention and allegations of sexual assault of minors. The mayor urged Chicago residents to utilize the city's "Know Your Rights" resource hub (Chicago.gov/KYR) for information and support.
The announcement of "Operation Midway Blitz" follows President Trump's provocative post on Truth Social, referencing the film "Apocalypse Now" and foreshadowing a significant immigration enforcement action in Chicago. Senator Dick Durbin, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, criticized the operation as a wasteful and fear-mongering tactic that targets hardworking immigrants without criminal convictions.
A recent CBS News poll reveals that a significant majority of Americans (58%) oppose deploying the National Guard to cities beyond Washington, D.C., highlighting the divisive nature of the administration's immigration policies.
The controversy surrounding "Operation Midway Blitz" underscores the deep divisions surrounding immigration policy in the United States, leaving Chicago residents facing uncertainty and apprehension.
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Originally published at: https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/operation-midway-blitz-chicago-ice-operations-immigration-crackdown/
