On Sunday, a coordinated targeted immigration enforcement operation was launched in Chicago, overseen by senior officials from the Trump administration. Multiple sources confirmed that the individuals detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were all subject to active warrants.
Phil Andrew, a CBS News Chicago security expert, explained that the operation focused on individuals with criminal allegations or convictions who are residing in the country illegally. “What we saw is a coordinated effort to scoop up folks who have criminal allegations against them, or criminal convictions,” Andrew said. “This is part of the administration’s commitment to target these individuals as a priority.”
The operation was supervised by Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, who was appointed by President Trump. Bove stated, “In Chicago, and across the country, we are addressing a national emergency arising from failed immigration policies over the past four years.”
The enforcement action involved agencies such as the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), U.S. Marshals Service, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), alongside federal prosecutors.
National Security Focus
Tom Homan, the border czar, accompanied ICE officers during the operation, asserting that the number of arrests nationwide would steadily rise. Homan clarified that while the operation is currently focusing on public safety and national security threats, it will likely broaden in scope in the coming weeks.
“It’s concentrating on public safety threats, national security threats. That’s a smaller population,” Homan said, highlighting the strategic focus of the operation.
ICE confirmed the actions in Chicago, emphasizing that the objective was to preserve public safety and national security by removing potentially dangerous criminal aliens from communities.
Community Reactions and Concerns
While there is broad support among immigrant communities for removing individuals with criminal records or violent behaviors, there are concerns that ICE may extend its operations to those who are law-abiding and integrated into society. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker expressed his support for targeting convicted criminals but voiced concern about the potential for ICE to target law-abiding individuals who have been living peacefully in the U.S. for years.
“These are not people who are causing problems in this country, and we need to secure a path to citizenship for them,” Pritzker said.
Local Government Stance
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson reiterated the city’s commitment to its “Welcoming City Ordinance,” which prohibits city police from assisting federal immigration authorities solely based on immigration status. Johnson emphasized that Chicago police were not involved in the enforcement actions on Sunday and advised residents to be aware of their constitutional rights.
“Per City code, Chicago police were not involved in this immigration enforcement activity. It is imperative that all Chicagoans know their constitutional rights and share the ‘Know Your Rights’ guidance with their neighbors and community,” said Mayor Johnson.
Legal and Political Implications
This enforcement action follows a wave of protests and a federal lawsuit filed by immigrant rights groups in Chicago, which argues that the Trump administration’s immigration policies violate the U.S. Constitution by targeting sanctuary cities like Chicago. These groups contend that the operation undermines immigrant rights and disproportionately impacts communities that have long been integrated into the fabric of the city.
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