A federal judge has issued an injunction restricting the use of force by immigration agents in Chicago, prompting a response from Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis ruled that the actions of immigration agents in the city required judicial intervention.
“This is a much-needed ruling. As Judge Ellis said, the aggressive use of unnecessary force by immigration agents ‘shocks the conscience.’ The Trump Administration is racially profiling and arresting citizens, zip-tying kids, and teargassing peaceful protestors. Trump officials like Gregory Bovino are—in the words of the judge—lying about their violent tactics. While they continue wrongfully targeting Illinoisans with their anti-immigrant agenda, I will continue to protest their brutal, unnecessary tactics,” Durbin stated.
Senator Durbin has taken several steps to oppose recent federal law enforcement operations in Chicago led by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under Secretary Kristi Noem and directed by President Donald Trump. These efforts include regular communication with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson regarding “Operation Midway Blitz,” which was launched without local consent.
Durbin also secured a commitment from Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley for Secretary Noem to testify under oath before Congress on these issues. Additionally, Durbin led Democratic members of Illinois’s congressional delegation in writing to President Trump urging him not to deploy troops to Illinois after plans were announced involving both state and Texas National Guard units.
The senator has called on DHS Secretary Noem to end both “Operation Midway Blitz” and “Operation At Large,” criticizing what he describes as indiscriminate arrests and lack of communication with local leaders during raids. Lawmakers have raised concerns about reports involving social media influencers promoting raids, military-grade equipment being used during operations, and questions about officer training related to protests.
Further inquiries have been sent to leaders at DHS, Department of Defense (DOD), and FBI regarding potential troop deployments in Chicago despite opposition from state officials; responses are still pending from Secretaries Noem and Pete Hegseth as well as FBI Director Kash Patel.
In Congress, Durbin introduced seven amendments alongside Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) aiming for increased oversight over domestic military deployments for law enforcement purposes without state approval.
Durbin joined Duckworth in requesting DOD and DHS halt misuse of facilities such as the Chicago Harbor Lock for federal operations supporting immigration enforcement activities. The senators also pressed for strict adherence to body camera requirements among Customs and Border Protection officers working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Attempts by Durbin and Duckworth to conduct oversight visits at Broadview ICE Facility were blocked multiple times by DHS officials despite their statutory authority as elected representatives.
Following reports that Naval Station Great Lakes was providing logistical support for DHS activities, lawmakers visited the base but were denied meetings with DHS staff present there.
Durbin led 26 senators in asking the DOD Inspector General to review legal aspects surrounding domestic deployment of troops away from disaster relief duties toward law enforcement roles—a move they argue undermines public trust while increasing taxpayer costs.
Additional letters addressed ICE hiring practices amid expanded recruitment efforts following new funding allocations; concerns included lowered standards and controversial messaging strategies targeting new applicants after January 6 events.
Meetings were held with Navy leadership ensuring no further allocation of military resources beyond basic office support at Naval Station Great Lakes for DHS use; Navy personnel remain uninvolved in active raids or enforcement actions.
Congresswoman Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03) joined Durbin calling for dialogue with ICE Field Director Russell Hott concerning heightened tensions outside Broadview ICE Facility during ongoing operations; Hott did not respond prior to his removal this month.
During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Justice Department oversight, Attorney General Pam Bondi faced questioning from Durbin about rationale behind deploying troops domestically—Bondi declined substantive answers during testimony.
Durbin criticized Republican colleagues on the committee for not joining calls condemning escalated federal enforcement actions or fulfilling oversight responsibilities tied directly to constitutional obligations.
He also led hearings focused on crime rates across cities but noted Republican majority shifted emphasis solely onto Democratic-led areas despite broader national trends showing higher violence rates elsewhere; he highlighted reductions in funding affecting crime prevention programs under current administration policies.
On several occasions Durbin spoke on the Senate floor against excessive tactics used by federal agents—including sharing personal stories affected by these policies—and organized forums examining how immigration measures intersect with constitutional rights violations nationwide.
Lawmakers met virtually with NORTHCOM leadership seeking information about troop deployments across multiple states while emphasizing compliance with existing laws limiting military involvement in civilian law enforcement roles.
