Thousands Apprehended and Deported During Operation Midway Blitz

Government data released following a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit provides a comprehensive overview of arrests made by federal immigration agents in the Chicago area during last fall’s enforcement surge. The data documents thousands of individuals taken into custody and swiftly deported, including a child as young as two years old.

The Surge in Apprehensions

Federal officers significantly increased their presence on Chicago streets last fall under the codename “Operation Midway Blitz.” Prior to the operation, monthly arrests by immigration authorities in Illinois ranged from 150 to 300. However, with the start of Operation Midway Blitz in September, apprehensions rose dramatically to 760, then to 2,074 in October, and 811 in November.

Arrest Numbers Continue into 2026

While the number of deployed federal agents decreased after November, hundreds of arrests continued to occur each month into 2026. Analysis shows that Illinois saw more immigration apprehensions during Operation Midway Blitz than in all of 2023 and 2024 combined, with over 90% of detentions concentrated in Chicago and its surrounding suburbs.

Details of Those Detained

The stated goal of these enforcement operations was to locate and remove the “worst of the worst.” However, the newly released data reveals that 58% of those apprehended last fall had no criminal history. An additional 23% faced pending misdemeanor or felony charges, and 18% had prior misdemeanor or felony convictions.

Deportations and Individual Stories

More than half of the individuals detained by federal immigration agents have already been deported. Victor, who was arrested and deported to Honduras before returning to Chicago after filing a petition for due process, described the experience as “a terrible feeling,” fearing he might never see his wife and American-born children again. Over 2,400 people have been deported, with more than half having no criminal record.

Impact on Minors

The data also reveals that 162 people under the age of 18 were arrested in Illinois since the beginning of Operation Midway Blitz.