Chicago Faces Aggressive Immigration Raids Amid Fear and Community Resistance

Thu Nov 20 2025 19:13:55 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Federal agents have been conducting aggressive immigration raids across Chicago, intensifying concerns in predominantly Latino neighborhoods. Despite a crackdown resulting in thousands of arrests, community members are rallying to document and resist these actions.

Since early September, Chicago has witnessed federal immigration raids characterized by aggressive tactics, including the deployment of tear gas and physical confrontations. Dubbed ‘Operation Midway Blitz’, the crackdown has led to over 3,300 arrests, affecting not only undocumented individuals but also U.S. citizens. As fear grips neighborhoods, many residents are banding together to document the raids and support their communities amidst escalating violence from agents.

For nearly two months, federal agents have been carrying out surprise raids in Chicago in pursuit of the Trump administration’s immigration agenda, emerging from unmarked vehicles in neighborhoods throughout the city to confront and detain stunned members of the public.

The arrests have been aggressive and even violent, with agents striking restrained people... In social media posts and interviews, many have expressed shock at the agents’ use of force.

Since it began in early September, 'Operation Midway Blitz' has resulted in more than 3,300 arrests, according to attorneys for detainees. In addition to people who were in the country illegally, many U.S. citizens have been swept up in the crackdown.

The operations have been dizzyingly random, affecting both high- and low-income neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and even Millennium Park.

The crackdown has galvanized Chicagoans, who have banded together to protect their neighbors. They have borne witness by pulling out their phones to document what was happening.

On October 14, federal agents in East Side neighborhood targeted individuals in a pharmacy and made aggressive arrests, leading to public outcries. In Lakeview, agents deployed tear gas, while in Old Irving Park, onlookers witnessed detentions that resulted in injuries.

The situation has ultimately sparked a response from community members, who are resisting the overwhelming presence and actions of federal agents while documenting the events for public awareness.