In a bold move that’s got Chicago’s political class buzzing, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) kicked off Operation Midway Blitz on Monday, targeting criminal unauthorized migrants in the Windy City.
New York Post reported that this initiative, launched on September 8, 2025, aims to tackle violent crime and illegal immigration in Illinois, specifically focusing on Chicago, while honoring a tragic victim and drawing sharp criticism from local Democratic leaders.
The operation began after weeks of anticipation, with ICE quietly positioning staff in Chicago for over a week before the official launch.
Named after Katie Abraham, who lost her life in a heartbreaking drunk-driving hit-and-run caused by an unauthorized migrant, Operation Midway Blitz carries a deeply personal message. DHS made this clear on X, stating, “DHS is launching Operation Midway Blitz in honor of Katie Abraham.” It’s a reminder that behind every policy debate are real human stories of loss.
President Trump amplified this sentiment by displaying a framed photo of Katie and her father, Joe Abraham, during coverage of the operation. If that doesn’t tug at the heartstrings while making a point about border security, what will?
DHS didn’t stop at symbolism—they got straight to business by publicly identifying 11 unauthorized migrants believed to be in Chicago, complete with photos, names, and criminal records. Among them is Pedro Gonzalez, a 34-year-old Venezuelan linked to the Tren De Aragua gang, with a rap sheet including sexual assault and kidnapping. This isn’t a game; these are serious threats walking free due to what DHS calls misguided sanctuary policies.
Another individual named by DHS is Abdul Al Kaby, a 60-year-old Iraqi with convictions for murder and assault with a deadly weapon, who has dodged removal since 1997 despite ICE detainers. “Al Kaby had an order for removal by an immigration judge in 1997,” DHS noted, pointing to repeated failures by Illinois jails to cooperate. How many more chances do we give before enough is enough?
The operation zeroes in on Chicago and Illinois, areas DHS claims have become magnets for criminal unauthorized migrants due to sanctuary policies under Governor J.B. Pritzker. “This ICE operation will target the criminal illegal aliens who flocked to Chicago,” DHS declared on X, directly calling out state leadership. It’s a not-so-subtle jab at progressive priorities that seem to put ideology over public safety.
Local Democrats, predictably, aren’t thrilled, with Governor Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson voicing outrage over the weekend before the launch. Pritzker scoffed, “I want to help people, not hurt them,” mocking Trump’s approach. But when violent crime stats are through the roof—six murdered in Chicago over that same weekend, per Trump’s speech—whose help do residents really need?
Mayor Johnson chimed in, claiming, “The City of Chicago received no notice of any enhanced immigration action.” Fair enough, but when DHS is tweeting mugshots and Trump is posting memes like “Chipocalypse Now” with helicopters over the Chicago skyline, it’s hard to argue this was a total surprise. A little heads-up might’ve been nice, but the message is clear: action over pleasantries.
Trump, for his part, has kept things ambiguous about whether this operation signals a broader federal crackdown on Chicago’s street crime. “We’d love to go into Chicago,” he said in a speech on the launch day, hinting at more to come while noting the city’s staggering violence toll. With roughly 50 killed and hundreds shot recently, as he posted on Truth Social, the pressure’s on for results, not rhetoric.
This isn’t Trump’s first rodeo—back in 2020, Operation Legend saw federal officers surge into Chicago, resulting in 500 arrests and a 50% drop in murders over five weeks, according to then-Attorney General Bill Barr. That’s not ancient history; it’s a playbook. If history repeats, maybe critics should hold their fire until the numbers come in.
Still, the pushback from local leaders isn’t baseless—there’s genuine concern about overreach and due process, as Johnson warned of ICE’s troubling track record. But when DHS counters with, “President Trump and Secretary Noem stand with the victims,” it’s a stark contrast to policies that seem to shield offenders over citizens. The question is, where’s the middle ground?
Operation Midway Blitz also follows Trump’s recent federalization of local police and National Guard deployments in Washington, D.C., showing a pattern of prioritizing federal muscle to address crime and immigration. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson doubled down, stating, “The Trump Administration is committed to arresting and deporting these dangerous criminal illegal aliens.” It’s a promise that resonates with those tired of sanctuary city loopholes, even if it ruffles progressive feathers.
Ultimately, this operation isn’t just about enforcement—it’s about a broader clash of values between federal authority and local autonomy. Chicago’s a battleground, literally and figuratively, with lives hanging in the balance. Let’s hope the focus stays on safety, not political point-scoring, as Operation Midway Blitz unfolds.
