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.
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Sep 15, 2025, 1:29 AM GMT

Congressman 'Chuy' García demands release of video in deadly shooting involving ICE officer

An Illinois congressman is among those who are calling for all video of the deadly shooting involving an ICE officer in the west suburbs to be released by federal officials. The shooting happened in Franklin Park on Friday.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesperson said its officers were conducting "targeted law enforcement activity," and during a vehicle stop, a man, who ICE says was a suspect, resisted arrest and tried to drive his car into the arrest team.

The man struck an officer, dragging him as he tried to flee the scene, ICE said. The officer shot the man, who was later identified as Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez. The Department of Homeland Security described him as an undocumented immigrant with a criminal history of reckless driving.

ICE said the man was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The officer suffered severe injuries and is stable, ICE and DHS said.

Congressman Jesús "Chuy" García says all video of the incident should be released.

"We want to know everything about what occurred and for all evidence to be put forward publicly so the public can make its own conclusions, but this was totally preventable, unnecessary and most tragic," García said.

ABC7 reached out to ICE for comment and to see if the officers involved were wearing cameras, but has not yet heard back yet.

Michelle Gallardo Image
Sep 15, 2025, 12:38 AM GMT

Little Village Mexican Independence Day Parade displays pride amid ICE operations

There were significantly fewer people in attendance this year at the Mexican Independence Day Parade Sunday in Little Village by traditional standards, but there were still thousands who did come out to celebrate Mexican culture and heritage in what felt like not just an act of pride, but an act of defiance.

From "ICE out of Chicago" to "Hands off Chicago," signs were everywhere Sunday lining 26th Street, nearly as ubiquitous as the green white and red of the Mexican flag which adorned nearly every inch of the parade route in Little Village. Spectators and participants alike made it clear their Mexican Independence Day celebrations would not be muted.

"We have to let everyone know that we're proud to be Mexican, and we're not going to let anyone scare us," spectator Vicente Hernandez said. "We're here. We're not going anywhere."

The party continued as it does every year. The vibrant sights and sounds of Mexican culture made themselves present, as did a large contingent of politicians, including Mayor Brandon Johnson, showing their support for a community which these days feels as if its under siege.

"We deserve to celebrate. We deserve to be proud," 22nd Ward Ald. Michael Rodriguez said. "We deserve to be on 26th Street as proud Mexican-Americans."

Immigration advocates marched in the parade while also handing out "know your rights" cards to spectators and keeping a watchful eye on the streets just beyond the area. A contingent of attorneys were at the ready, in case they were needed.

"Even this morning there were some sightings of some agents in the area," said Andre Gordillo with the Illinois Coalition of Immigrant and Refugee Rights. "So thankfully, as of now, we haven't seen anything, but we know they are out there, and they have a quota to hit."

With other Mexican Independence Day celebrations were canceled or postponed this year, and many people choosing to watch the broadcast of Sunday s parade from home, organizers remained grateful for those who did show up.

"They deserve to feel joy," said Jennifer Aguilar with the Little Village Chamber of Commerce. "They deserve to celebrate and to have this beautiful moment despite everything that's going on."

Sep 13, 2025, 4:49 PM GMT

Demonstrators rally against alleged detainment of asylum-seeking day laborer in Little Village

Dozens of people demonstrated together outside west suburban Broadview's boarded-up Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility on Saturday, calling for justice after federal agents allegedly arrested a man who supporters say was unjustly taken into custody.

Demonstrators say agents allegedly detained Willian Gimenez on Friday as he was entering a Little Village barbershop near Cermak and Washtenaw with his wife.

His attorney describes him as kind, hardworking and someone seeking asylum in the United States.

Gimenez's advocates say the Department of Homeland Security has not notified them where exactly he was taken.

Advocates say Gimenez's arrest was not an accident, noting that he is reportedly outspoken against targeted arrests on day laborers allegedly carried out by Home Depot and off-duty Chicago police officers working as private security. Click here for the latest.

Sep 13, 2025, 11:20 AM GMT

Officers appear to use pepper balls against protesters at Broadview ICE facility

Reps. Chuy Garcia and Delia Ramirez are expected to speak outside the Broadview Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility about recent operations in the area later Saturday morning.

Protesters gathered outside that ICE detention center on Friday, with video showing what appears to be pepper balls being used against some of the demonstrators that evening. Video also shows at least one demonstrator being dragged away.

Reps. Chuy Garcia and Delia Ramirez are expected to speak Saturday outside the Broadview ICE facility, where an anti-ICE protest got underway Friday.

Demonstrations were also seen in other northwest suburbs on Friday night after an ICE agent allegedly shot a man to death in Franklin Park earlier in the day. Click here for the latest.