Illinois Senators Criticize DHS 'Operation Midway Blitz' in Chicago
The Department of Homeland Security launched 'Operation Midway Blitz' in Chicago, targeting criminal illegal aliens and dedicated to Katie Abraham. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth criticized the operation as misdirected and harmful.
Overview
- The Department of Homeland Security initiated 'Operation Midway Blitz' in Chicago, focusing on increased immigration enforcement against criminal illegal aliens within the city.
- This operation was specifically dedicated to Katie Abraham, who tragically died in a drunk driving hit-and-run incident caused by a criminal illegal alien.
- Senator Dick Durbin publicly criticized the Trump administration's 'Operation Midway Blitz,' asserting it targets hardworking immigrants without criminal convictions and impacts broader communities.
- Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth also criticized the increased ICE activity in Chicago, deeming it wasteful, ineffective, and a misuse of federal law enforcement resources.
- Duckworth warned that the operation's expanded scope and resource allocation made Illinoisans less safe, echoing concerns about its broader negative impact on the state.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by portraying federal immigration crackdowns as politically motivated actions by the Trump administration targeting Democratic-led cities. They emphasize the "escalation" of federal power and question the stated rationales, often contrasting federal claims with local crime data and highlighting the concerns of Democratic officials and residents.
"Tensions have been rising in parts of Chicago as the mobilization of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents has ramped up in the Windy City."
CBS News"The latest effort targets people without legal permission to live in the U.S. who have criminal records."
Associated Press"The announcement comes more than two weeks after the Republican president began to say he was planning to target Chicago over crime, causing Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson to caution residents to prepare for potential immigration sweeps."
Chicago Tribune"The announcement that Illinois will be the target of increased immigration enforcement comes after a confusing weekend during which Trump escalated threats toward Chicago and then walked them back."
NPR"The operation is named in honor of Katie Abraham, a 20-year-old woman killed in a hit-and-run by an undocumented immigrant."
USA TODAY"The move comes after President Trump, in a post on Truth Social on Saturday, invoked imagery from the movie "Apocalypse Now" and wrote, "'I love the smell of deportations in the morning ...' Chicago about to find out why it's called the Department of WAR.""
CBS News"The 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."
Chicago Sun-TimesArticles (14)
Center (7)
FAQ
The main goal of Operation Midway Blitz is to target and arrest criminal illegal aliens in Chicago and Illinois, particularly those who have committed serious crimes and have come to the area due to sanctuary policies protecting them.
Operation Midway Blitz was dedicated to Katie Abraham because she was tragically killed in a drunk driving hit-and-run caused by a criminal illegal alien in Illinois, making her death a motivating factor for the operation.
Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth criticized the operation as misdirected and harmful, arguing it targets hardworking immigrants without criminal convictions, wastes federal law enforcement resources, and makes Illinois less safe by damaging community trust and cooperation.
Governor Pritzker criticized the operation, stating it is aimed at scaring Illinois residents rather than effectively fighting crime, and emphasized that the administration did not coordinate with state officials on public safety efforts.
DHS and the Trump administration argue the operation targets the 'worst of the worst' criminal illegal aliens who exploit sanctuary policies, asserting that no city will be a safe haven for such criminals and that the operation will improve community safety.
History
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