The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the launch of Operation Midway Blitz, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) initiative targeting criminal non-citizens in Illinois. The operation is named in honor of Katie Abraham, who was killed in a drunk driving hit-and-run incident involving Julio Cucul-Bol, identified as a criminal illegal alien.
According to DHS officials, the new operation aims to focus on individuals with serious criminal records who have been released from custody despite ICE detainers. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated, "DHS is launching Operation Midway Blitz in honor of Katie Abraham who was killed in Illinois by a criminal illegal alien who should have never been in our country. This operation will target the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens in Chicago," said McLaughlin. "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. President Trump and Secretary Noem have a clear message: no city is a safe haven for criminal illegal aliens. If you come to our country illegally and break our laws, we will hunt you down, arrest you, deport you, and you will never return."
The department listed several cases involving individuals previously convicted or charged with offenses such as aggravated assault, burglary, drug trafficking, weapons violations, domestic violence, sexual assault, kidnapping, and murder-related charges. In each case cited by DHS, local authorities reportedly released these individuals after failing to honor ICE detainers.
The agency emphasized that those named remain at large following their release from local jails or correctional facilities across Illinois. ICE has lodged multiple detainers for some individuals without success due to current sanctuary policies in place.
Illinois' status as a so-called "sanctuary state" means local law enforcement agencies generally do not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement requests such as detainers unless mandated by court order or specific circumstances.
