Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs | https://www.dhs.gov/
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that more than 800 individuals who were in the United States illegally have been arrested during Operation Midway Blitz. The operation, led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Border Patrol officers, focused on detaining those described as the “worst of the worst” among criminal offenders.
Operation Midway Blitz began on September 8 and was named in honor of Katie Abraham, who died in a drunk driving incident involving an undocumented immigrant in Illinois. The initiative targeted individuals with serious criminal backgrounds who had moved to Chicago and Illinois, areas known for their sanctuary policies.
Officials said that despite violent protests outside ICE facilities and recent attacks against officers—including a reported terrorist attack at a Dallas ICE facility—enforcement actions would continue.
“During Operation Midway Blitz, DHS law enforcement has made more than 800 arrests across Illinois. The Trump Administration will not allow violent criminals or repeat offenders to terrorize our neighborhoods or victimize our children and innocent Americans,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia 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.”
Among those arrested were individuals convicted or charged with offenses such as statutory rape, aggravated assault, burglary, armed robbery, possession of illegal weapons, drug-related crimes, and membership in criminal gangs. Those apprehended included citizens from countries such as El Salvador, Austria, Poland, Mexico, Lithuania, Honduras, and Venezuela.
The operation took place amid heightened tensions around immigration enforcement activities in Illinois and elsewhere.
