Chicago Raids Begin Under Trump’s ‘Midway Blitz’—Impact on Indians?
Chicago faces Trump’s new immigration action—‘Midway Blitz’—leaving Indian immigrants and students in the city concerned about future enforcement.
image for illustrative purpose
The Trump administration confirmed Monday that federal immigration enforcement has begun in Chicago under an initiative named Operation Midway Blitz. Officials said the action responds to Illinois and Chicago’s sanctuary policies, which restrict local cooperation with federal immigration agencies.
The Department of Homeland Security announced the move, saying local restrictions have created obstacles for federal officers to detain immigrants with criminal convictions. The statement listed several individuals released from Illinois jails despite prior criminal charges, including assault, burglary, and narcotics-related cases.
For weeks, President Donald Trump has hinted at sending additional forces to Chicago, citing crime and immigration concerns. While earlier remarks suggested possible deployment of National Guard units, the current enforcement resembles traditional Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations rather than troop mobilization, such as those carried out previously in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, both Democrats, criticized the federal action. Pritzker’s office said it had not been formally informed of the plan. Spokesperson Matt Hill said state officials learned about the operation through social media posts, calling the effort a political maneuver ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Trump, writing on Truth Social, linked the crackdown to recent violence in Chicago, arguing that state leaders had refused to seek federal support. “Only the criminals will be hurt,” Trump wrote. “We can act quickly and put an end to this chaos.”
Over the weekend, Trump also shared an image referencing the Vietnam War film Apocalypse Now, depicting helicopters flying over a burning Chicago skyline — a post that drew attention online.
Alongside the Chicago operation, federal authorities have initiated a similar campaign in Boston, according to an ICE official.
The exact scope and duration of Operation Midway Blitz remain unclear, but federal officials said the focus will remain on individuals living in the United States without legal status who have prior criminal convictions.
