Chicago federal intervention: Tracking surge in immigration enforcement operations | Updates

DHS announces "Operation Midway Blitz" in Chicago; Trump federalizing Illinois National Guard

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team WLS logo
Last updated: Friday, October 24, 2025 4:15PM GMT
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CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Chicago area is seeing an increase in federal immigration enforcement.

President Donald Trump says the surge in immigration enforcement activity in the Chicago area is about getting dangerous criminals off the streets.

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Some 300 federal agents are using North Chicago's Naval Station Great Lakes as the logistical hub for ramped-up operations.

Protesters and federal agents have continued to clash outside an ICE Processing Center in Broadview, Illinois.

ABC7 is tracking the latest news in the city and suburbs. Here are the latest developments.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
Oct 24, 2025, 4:17 PM GMT

DHS says gang member tried to ram agents with car, defends apparent tear gas use in SW Side protest

ABC7 is getting more information from the Department of Homeland Security about recent violent run-ins with federal agents over the past few days.

DHS says Wednesday was one of their most violent days on the job.

At 24th and Ogden, DHS claims, a Latin Kings gang member tried to ram agents with his vehicle.

Six people were arrested that day for impeding operations, and three undocumented immigrants were placed into custody.

And there were more tense moments Thursday at the Little Village Discount Mall during an anti-ICE rally.

Attorneys accused federal agents of violating a court order, which does not allow them to use riot control weapons unless facing an imminent threat and requires them to issue warnings first before deploying tear gas.

A federal complaint is now taking aim at the man who led the charge. An image of Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino appears to show him throw tear gas "without justification," according to the complaint.

"Federal agents started acting aggressive, pushing protesters away... Again, it was all peaceful protesters," said protester Kristian Armendariz.

However, DHS says the group of about 75-100 people began firing commercial artillery shell fireworks at agents and throwing rocks, adding that Bovino was hit in the head.

According to DHS, agents repeated multiple warnings to the crowd to back up, informing them that chemical agents would be deployed. The department stood by their agents' actions, saying, "Agents properly used their training. The use of chemical munitions was conducted in full accordance with CBP policy and was necessary to ensure the safety of both law enforcement and the public."

Bovino was already set to appear in court on Nov. 5, but now, a federal judge has ordered more than double the time to question Bovino after these incidents. Click here for more.

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Oct 22, 2025, 2:54 AM GMT

Illinois rep. says CBP agents blocked in his vehicle on Chicago's Northwest Side

An Illinois congressional candidate and current state representative said Customs and Border Patrol agents surrounded and harassed him Tuesday on Chicago's Northwest Side.

State Rep. Hoan Huynh, a Democrat from Chicago who is running to represent the 9th District, was in his vehicle about 11:30 a.m. near Montrose and Kimball avenues in Albany Park, a news release from his campaign said.

Huynh was in the area after hearing of possible U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity, the release said.

The release said six armed CBP agents blocked the front and back of his vehicle, and approached the car.

The release said the agent tried to break the glass.

Huynh's campaign said the agents blocked him and staffers from following an unmarked car with ICE agents inside.

Huynh was eventually able to leave.

"This was federal agents using violent intimidation trying to silence us," Rep. Huynh said.

Huynh is a Vietnamese refugee who came to America as a child when his family was granted asylum after collaborating with American troops during the Vietnam War, the release said.

Neither ICE nor CBP have responded to requests for comment.

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Oct 22, 2025, 2:11 AM GMT

Rogers Park school says vendor employee detained Tuesday afternoon by federal agents

A Rogers Park school says a vendor employee was detained Tuesday afternoon by federal agents.

The action drew parents to stand outside Decatur Classical School on Sacramento Avenue.

A Rogers Park school says a vendor employee was detained Tuesday afternoon by federal agents.

The school sent a letter to parents, saying this happened outside the school, and no students were present at the time.

Afternoon PE classes were moved inside as a result.

In the letter, the school says mental health professionals are available for students, and that "As a reminder, our school and CPS WILL NOT coordinate with federal representatives, and we WILL NOT allow ICE agents or any other federal representatives access to our school unless they produce a criminal judicial warrant."

ByHannah Meisel, Capitol News Illinois
Oct 21, 2025, 8:49 PM GMT

Trump agrees to extend judge's block on deploying National Guard in Chicago as SCOTUS weighs case

The Trump administration has agreed to extend a federal judge's temporary block on deploying National Guard troops to Chicago while the U.S. Supreme Court weighs whether to stay the judge's order.

In a filing Tuesday - two days before U.S. District Judge April Perry's 14-day temporary restraining order is set to expire - Department of Justice attorneys said they'd consented to a 30-day extension of the order. The Trump administration appealed the matter to the U.S. Supreme Court late last week, and it's unclear when the high court may rule.