The Department of Homeland Security has launched Operation Midway Blitz, a targeted ICE initiative named in honor of Katie Abraham, a 20-year-old Illinois college student killed in a drunk driving hit-and-run allegedly caused by Guatemalan national Julio Cucul-Bol.
The operation, announced by the DHS on X on Monday, will focus on apprehending repeat-offender illegal immigrants in Chicago and across Illinois—areas the DHS says have become havens due to Governor JB Pritzker's sanctuary policies.
"Political tactics like increased ICE action and sending the National Guard only place added strain on children and families. These actions will make our communities less safe and will result in the violation of the basic rights of all people across our city," Emilio Araujo, director of development and communications at Onward House, an immigrant support organization in Chicago, told Newsweek.
Why It Matters
As a so-called sanctuary city, Chicago was a rumored early target for increased federal immigration enforcement following President Donald Trump's inauguration in January, but the raids did not materialize then. In recent weeks, the president has repeatedly said he would send federal troops to the city on the basis of high crime rates.
Who Was Katie Abraham, and What Happened to Her?
The DHS said it was launching its latest operation in honor of Abraham, who was killed in a hit-and-run in January.
She and friend Chloe Polzin were at a stoplight in Urbana when Julio Cucul-Bol allegedly struck their vehicle from behind at high speed. Abraham died at the scene, while Polzin succumbed to her injuries a day later in the hospital.
In a video previously shared by the DHS, and used again as part of Monday's announcement, Abraham's parents described her as a unique kid, who "made everyone feel seen."
Cucul-Bol was tracked down in Texas and was charged with possessing a false permanent resident card, possessing a false Social Security card, false use of a passport and making a false statement on a bank application.
What Is Operation Midway Blitz?
The DHS said in its announcement that Operation Midway Blitz would target criminal illegal immigrants in the Chicago and Illinois area.
It was not immediately clear how the operation would compare to current enforcement efforts, but the president has repeatedly stated that he plans to send troops into Chicago soon.
According to DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, the operation will seek to undo sanctuary policies overseen by Pritzker that she said allowed suspected criminal immigrants to roam freely in his state.
The department released a list of 11 men that it said were known criminals but had been released by local law enforcement.
What People Are Saying
Edwin Yohnka, director of communications and public policy at the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, told Newsweek: "Donald Trump's administration appears to possess so little understanding of the State of Illinois that they are justifying militaristic ICE actions in Chicago based on the tragic death of Katie Abraham in a car accident more than one hundred miles away."
He added: "There is no emergency justifying these harsh and destabilizing operations — other than the Trump Administration's authoritarian impulses to attack communities that do not support his unpopular and harsh immigration policies."
Emilio Araujo, director of development and communications at Onward House, told Newsweek: "Parents should not be afraid to leave their homes without being illegally profiled and harassed, children deserve a safe and supportive environment in order to learn and grow, and our communities need to be free from attacks from our own government which will violate our basic rights and liberties. We have seen the abuse that resulted from recent federal activity in LA and DC, and now families in Chicago are the target of the same politically motivated, counterproductive, and cruel tactics."
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, in a statement shared with Newsweek: "We have received no notice of any enhanced immigration action by the Trump administration. We are concerned about potential militarized immigration enforcement without due process because of ICE's track record of detaining and deporting American citizens and violating the human rights of hundreds of detainees."
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, in a press release: "For years, Governor Pritzker and his fellow sanctuary politicians released Tren de Aragua gang members, rapists, kidnappers, and drug traffickers on Chicago's streets—putting American lives at risk and making Chicago a magnet for criminals. President Trump and Secretary Noem have a clear message: no city is a safe haven for criminal illegal aliens. If you come to our country illegally and break our laws, we will hunt you down, arrest you, deport you, and you will never return."
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, on X on Saturday: "[Chicago Police Department] CPD has taken 24,000 guns off the street since I took office, most of which originated from Republican-run states outside Illinois. The Trump administration's budget cuts to federal gun violence prevention agencies like ATF will lead to fewer investigations and operations with local law enforcement, endangering our historic progress on community safety."
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, on X on Saturday: "The President of the United States is threatening to go to war with an American city. This is not a joke. This is not normal. Donald Trump isn't a strongman, he's a scared man. Illinois won't be intimidated by a wannabe dictator."
What Happens Next
Further details on Operation Midway Blitz had not been announced as of early Monday afternoon.
Update 9/8/25, 3 p.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from Edwin Yohnka.
Update 9/8/25, 4:46 p.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Emilio Araujo, director of development and communications at Onward House.
