Nearly 3,000 people have been arrested in Chicago as part of the federal government’s immigration enforcement campaign known as Operation Midnight Blitz, which began last month. US Customs and Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino confirmed the figures during an interview with ABC News on Monday.
Operation Midnight Blitz was launched in early September, with the Department of Homeland Security announcing that it was being carried out in honor of Katie Abraham, a woman who was killed in a drunk driving hit-and-run by a criminal illegal alien in Illinois.
“This ICE operation will target the criminal illegal aliens who flocked to Chicago and Illinois because they knew Governor Pritzker and his sanctuary policies would protect them and allow them to roam free on American streets. President Trump and Secretary Noem stand with the victims of illegal alien crime while Governor Pritzker stands with criminal illegal aliens,” DHS said in a statement at the start of the operation.
The effort has drawn strong criticism from local and state officials, including Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. Johnson posted on X last month, “Chicago doesn’t want to see reckless, unconstitutional, militarized immigration enforcement in our city.”
Federal immigration agents have also faced scrutiny for using tear gas during enforcement operations. Attorneys filed a motion Monday night asking a judge to block agents from using tear gas by modifying a current temporary restraining order.
According to ABC 7 Chicago, DHS responded in a statement noting that “rioters and terrorists have opened fire on officers, thrown rocks, bottles, and fireworks at them” and that “ICE officers are facing a nearly 1000% increase in assaults against them… as they put their lives on the line to arrest murderers, rapists, and gang members.”
Bovino told ABC News, “When we utilize force in law enforcement… it’s the least amount of force necessary to affect an arrest or to affect the successful outcome of any given mission that we’re on.”
