Chicago's Little Village grapples with impact of 'Operation Midway Blitz' one year later
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Nearly one year after the immigration enforcement operation known as "Midway Blitz" swept through Chicago, residents and business owners in Little Village say the neighborhood continues to feel its effects with economic losses, community fear and ongoing immigration enforcement activity lingering long after the high-profile operation ended.
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The operation unfolded across Chicago and its suburbs, creating what residents described as confusion, chaos and panic as federal agents searched for individuals the Department of Homeland Security characterized as the "worst of the worst."
Little Village is a predominantly Mexican-born and Mexican-American community known for one of Chicago's most prosperous business corridors.
Some business owners say the repercussions remain significant in their neighborhood.
"It was a good summer, but not how it used to be at all. We used to have a lot of out-of-town customers," said Michelle Macias of Carniceria y Taqueria Aguascalientes.
Macias is the third generation to run Carniceria Aguascalientes, a restaurant and grocery store that is celebrating 50 years at 3132 W 26th Street.
The business drew attention during "Operation Midway Blitz" after employees asked Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino to leave the store.
While the incident brought in some new customers, Macias said it was not enough to make up for what she described as a 60% to 70% decline in business over the past year.
"People tell us all the time it's because they're scared. They are scared to come because of how hard ICE hit here in Chicago. Especially in this neighborhood," Macias said.
As Little Village prepares for its annual Mexican Independence Day Parade next week, the neighborhood may appear to have returned to normal.
READ ALSO | 'Midway Blitz' leader Bovino under investigation during departure, says he was 'forced to leave'
However, community leaders say residents are still afraid.
"In the past two weeks we had about three incidents here in Little Village where they are chasing down people, trying to go into people's homes," said Baltazar Enriquez, president of the Little Village Community Council.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, more than 4,500 undocumented immigrants were detained as a result of "Operation Midway Blitz."
But an April 13 letter from ICE's former acting director to the Illinois Congressional Delegation reportedly acknowledged that about 80% of those detained had no criminal convictions.
A spokesperson for DHS released the following statement:
"As a result of Operation Midway Blitz, DHS arrested more than 4,500 illegal aliens, including rapists, murderers, and gang members."
"Nationwide nearly 70% of ICE arrests are of illegal aliens charged or convicted of a crime in the U.S."
"This statistic doesn't account for those wanted for violent crimes in their home country or another country, INTERPOL notices, human rights abusers, gang members, terrorists, etc."
"The list goes on."
"Operation Midway Blitz achieved what Chicago's sanctuary politicians have refused to do for decades: decrease crime and remove the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens who put the American people in danger."
