U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, who serves as Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, met with members of Priests for Justice for Immigrants and the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership from the Chicago area to discuss support for immigrants amid increased federal immigration enforcement in Illinois.
During the meeting, Durbin was joined by Father Gary Graf, Father Larry Dowling, and Father Brendan Curran. The discussion centered on concerns over “Operation Midway Blitz,” a federal initiative that has resulted in expanded immigration enforcement actions in Illinois. According to Durbin, “For more than three months, Chicago has endured President Trump’s ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ – a cruel campaign that has swept up innocent citizens, legal residents, and immigrants who pose absolutely no threat to public safety.” He added, “These faith leaders have extended spiritual support to our communities, including by walking 800 miles to spread a message of humanity for immigrants and showing up to the ICE Broadview Processing Facility every day to offer their prayers. Today’s discussion with the Fathers reminded me that during these horrific times, we must come together and stand up for our immigrant communities.”
Durbin outlined several actions he has taken in response to recent federal enforcement efforts. He has regularly communicated with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson regarding the operations being conducted without local consent. Additionally, he secured an agreement from Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley for Secretary Noem of Homeland Security to testify under oath about these actions.
Other steps include leading letters from all Democratic members of the Illinois congressional delegation urging President Trump not to deploy National Guard troops in Illinois; submitting questions about reports involving military equipment use during raids; filing an amicus brief supporting legal challenges against National Guard deployment; seeking answers from DHS, Department of Defense (DOD), and FBI officials about potential troop deployments; releasing fact checks disputing administration claims about immigration enforcement; introducing amendments aimed at increasing congressional oversight over domestic military deployments; and pressing DHS officials on hiring standards within ICE.
Durbin also attempted oversight visits at Broadview ICE Facility but was denied entry multiple times. He visited Naval Station Great Lakes after learning it might be used as a staging area for DHS agents but was unable to meet directly with DHS officials there.
In addition to meetings with local leaders and organizations throughout Illinois—including Little Village community groups and Latino state officials—Durbin joined other senators in calling on DOD leadership not to allocate further resources toward immigration operations beyond logistical support already provided at certain facilities.
He also led calls for ICE officers assisting CBP in civil enforcement operations in Illinois to comply with body camera requirements following judicial orders.
Further legislative efforts included introducing a bill alongside Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and others designed to ensure detainees have access to legal counsel while detained by DHS.
During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on crime in cities—a session Durbin had requested focus on military deployments—he criticized what he described as an unbalanced approach that ignored higher violent crime rates found in Republican-led states. On the Senate floor, Durbin spoke out repeatedly against what he characterized as excessive force used by DHS agents during raids.
He held a forum examining how recent federal policies have affected constitutional rights related both directly and indirectly to immigration enforcement practices. The event highlighted concerns such as due process violations, unauthorized troop deployments over local objections, arrests linked to protected speech or expression rights under the First Amendment, deportations without clear justification, and limitations placed on congressional oversight activities.
Durbin also participated in meetings with U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) leadership along with other senators from California and Oregon regarding military compliance with laws restricting domestic use of armed forces.
