Durbin Leads Illinois Democrats In Demanding An End To Dangerous And Reckless Immigration Operations

Durbin Leads Illinois Democrats In Demanding An End To Dangerous And Reckless Immigration Operations

In a letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, the Illinois Democrats reprimanded DHS for violating due process, indiscriminately arresting immigrants with no criminal convictions, and escalating tensions at Broadview protests

CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today led all Democratic members of the Illinois delegation in sending a letter to U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem demanding answers about the extreme immigration enforcement operations in Illinois under "Operation Midway Blitz" and "Operation at Large." In the letter, the lawmakers reprimanded DHS, the Department of Justice (DOJ), and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials for violating due process as they continue to advance President Trump's mass deportation scheme by targeting immigrants with no criminal convictions.

Citing lack of congressional oversight, indiscriminate arrests of immigrants, and the escalation of tensions during protests at Broadview ICE processing facility (Broadview), the lawmakers called for an immediate end to both Operation Midway Blitz and Operation at Large.

"While this operation [Operation Midway Blitz] supposedly targets 'criminal illegal aliens,' our constituents report that DHS officials are arresting individuals in their neighborhoods, at bus stops, and near schools. These enforcement operations do not reduce crime or make our communities safer. As we have seen throughout the implementation of President Trump's mass deportation scheme, DHS is not focusing on the 'worst of the worst' as claimed, but has instead mostly arrested hardworking immigrants with no criminal convictions," the lawmakers began their letter. "DHS and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have skirted or outright violated due process and other constitutional requirements intended to protect individuals in the United States from arbitrary arrests, detention, and deportation."

"We urge you to end your dangerous operations in Illinois and provide our residents with transparency into these operations, including how they have siphoned resources from other federal law enforcement agencies that combat public safety threats in our communities," the lawmakers wrote.

The lawmakers condemned the secrecy surrounding Operation Midway Blitz, noting that Members of Congress have repeatedly requested access to detention facilities, including Broadview, and been denied by DHS without justification.

"Operation Midway Blitz has been shrouded in secrecy, with little notice to state and local officials as to the nature of the operation, the types of people targeted, where DHS is detaining people, and which agencies are required to detail officers to conduct immigration enforcement. DHS officials have avoided meeting with Members of Congress and have not responded to repeated congressional inquiries about recent enforcement activities. Furthermore, DHS has denied Members of Congress the opportunity to conduct lawful oversight at facilities where noncitizens are being held. DHS has also used military-style tactics and equipment to break down doors in suburban homes, with little transparency into the basis for such raids," the lawmakers continued their letter.

The lawmakers underscored that the tactics DHS used in Southern California, headed by Gregory Bovino, will not be tolerated in Illinois, especially as DHS faces several lawsuits for its treatment of protesters in California. In Illinois, DHS and ICE masked agents have reportedly escalated tensions at Broadview by indiscriminately deploying tear gas and chemical agents on protestors. Reports have detailed a dangerous lack of communication between local law enforcement and ICE agents that led to injuries and further distrust between federal agencies, local law enforcement, and community members.

"Gregory Bovino, an official originally diverted from his responsibilities at the border to lead controversial operations in Southern California, announced a second operation in Illinois-'Operation at Large'-on social media. This operation will reportedly include indiscriminate raids, including at Home Depots and car washes. Mr. Bovino's reckless and dangerous tactics in California should not be extended to Illinois, as they are already the subject of multiple lawsuits alleging abuses against citizens and noncitizens alike," the lawmakers wrote. "Masked officers have arrested and detained U.S. citizens and lawful noncitizens without making attempts to verify-or even ignoring attempts to establish-U.S. citizenship or lawful presence."

"These tactics are already being utilized by your agents in Illinois. While DHS has yet to provide Congress with current information on arrests in Illinois, your officials are estimating in the media that between 400 and 550 arrests have already occurred. Last Friday, ICE reportedly escalated tensions by indiscriminately using tear gas and chemical agents on peaceful protestors," the lawmakers continued their letter.

"A spokesperson for the Broadview Police Department (BPD) said that BPD and ICE had an agreement that ICE would inform BPD before the agency used any chemical arms, but ICE did not provide such advance notification. As a result of your officials' dangerous and reckless tactics, an officer was reportedly exposed to mace and tear gas used by ICE. While your spokesperson claims that ICE officials called local law enforcement multiple times for assistance, BPD says that the agency 'did not receive 'multiple calls for assistance' from the leadership of the ICE detention facility in Broadview. That is false,'" the lawmakers wrote.

The lawmakers exposed the Trump Administration's failure to uphold due process as ICE agents carry out arbitrary arrests and detentions. Further, the Trump Administration has eliminated a longstanding requirement that ICE officers provide a written justification before targeting individuals for immigration arrests.

"We are already seeing improper arrests of U.S. citizens in Illinois, and are deeply disturbed by these indiscriminate arrests coupled with renewed efforts to gut due process and indefinitely detain people who have spent decades in the United States without committing any crime. While some attempts to fulfill President Trump's mass deportation scheme have been struck down in courts, these efforts have nonetheless resulted in unlawful arrests, detentions, and, in some cases, deportations before courts can intervene," the lawmakers wrote.

The lawmakers concluded their letter by denouncing the fear and division created by these operations and demanding transparency surrounding immigration enforcement activity in Chicago. Requesting a response by October 7, the lawmakers submitted questions about reports that DHS has brought in social media influencers to promote immigration raids; reports about the use of military weaponry, including drones, during raids; and about the training that federal officials have received on responding to and de-escalating protests.

"Your extreme immigration enforcement operations in Illinois have already devastated families and torn at the social fabric of our communities," the lawmakers concluded their letter.

In addition to Durbin, the letter was signed by all Democratic members of the Illinois congressional delegation, including U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL-01), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03), Jesús G. "Chuy" García (D-IL-04), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Sean Casten (D-IL-06), Danny Davis (D-IL-07), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), and Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17).

Full text of the letter is available here and below:

September 23, 2025

Dear Secretary Noem:

Recently, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the launch of "Operation Midway Blitz" and "Operation at Large" in Illinois, with a focus on Chicago. While this operation supposedly targets "criminal illegal aliens," our constituents report that DHS officials are arresting individuals in their neighborhoods, at bus stops, and near schools. These enforcement operations do not reduce crime or make our communities safer. As we have seen throughout the implementation of President Trump's mass deportation scheme, DHS is not focusing on the "worst of the worst" as claimed, but has instead mostly arrested hardworking immigrants with no criminal convictions.^[1] DHS and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have skirted or outright violated due process and other constitutional requirements intended to protect individuals in the United States from arbitrary arrests, detention, and deportation.^[2] We urge you to end your dangerous operations in Illinois and provide our residents with transparency into these operations, including how they have siphoned resources from other federal law enforcement agencies that combat public safety threats in our communities.

Operation Midway Blitz has been shrouded in secrecy, with little notice to state and local officials as to the nature of the operation, the types of people targeted, where DHS is detaining people, and which agencies are required to detail officers to conduct immigration enforcement. DHS officials have avoided meeting with Members of Congress and have not responded to repeated congressional inquiries about recent enforcement activities. ^[3] Furthermore, DHS has denied Members of Congress the opportunity to conduct lawful oversight at facilities where noncitizens are being held.^[4] DHS has also used military-style tactics and equipment to break down doors in suburban homes, with little transparency into the basis for such raids.^[5]

Gregory Bovino, an official originally diverted from his responsibilities at the border to lead controversial operations in Southern California, announced a second operation in Illinois-"Operation at Large"-on social media.^[6] This operation will reportedly include indiscriminate raids, including at Home Depots and car washes.^[7] Mr. Bovino's reckless and dangerous tactics in California should not be extended to Illinois, as they are already the subject of multiple lawsuits alleging abuses against citizens and noncitizens alike.

One lawsuit alleges that officials "unnecessarily and indiscriminately targeted, assaulted, tear-gassed, pepper-sprayed, and shot protesters exercising their right to assemble to voice their disagreement with the government."^[8] Southern Californian cities impacted by raids joined another pending lawsuit against DHS, seeking an end to warrantless seizures and arrests and relief due to wide-ranging economic damages caused by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids.^[9] Masked officers have arrested and detained U.S. citizens and lawful noncitizens without making attempts to verify-or even ignoring attempts to establish-U.S. citizenship or lawful presence.^[10]

These tactics are already being utilized by your agents in Illinois. While DHS has yet to provide Congress with current information on arrests in Illinois, your officials are estimating in the media that between 400 and 550 arrests have already occurred.^[11] Last Friday, ICE reportedly escalated tensions by indiscriminately using tear gas and chemical agents on peaceful protestors. A spokesperson for the Broadview Police Department (BPD) said that BPD and ICE had an agreement that ICE would inform BPD before the agency used any chemical arms, but ICE did not provide such advance notification. ^[12] As a result of your officials' dangerous and reckless tactics, an officer was reportedly exposed to mace and tear gas used by ICE.^[13] While your spokesperson claims that ICE officials called local law enforcement multiple times for assistance,^[14] BPD says that the agency "did not receive 'multiple calls for assistance' from the leadership of the ICE detention facility in Broadview. That is false."^[15]

Your dangerous operations in Illinois have also been accompanied by policy changes that appear designed to effectuate arbitrary arrests and detentions without due process. The Trump Administration has eliminated a longstanding requirement that ICE officers provide a written justification before targeting individuals for immigration arrests-although some officers are still reportedly taking this step out of concern for future legal liability. ^[16] We are already seeing improper arrests of U.S. citizens in Illinois,^[17] and are deeply disturbed by these indiscriminate arrests coupled with renewed efforts to gut due process and indefinitely detain people who have spent decades in the United States without committing any crime.^[18] While some attempts to fulfill President Trump's mass deportation scheme have been struck down in courts,^[19] these efforts have nonetheless resulted in unlawful arrests, detentions, and, in some cases, deportations before courts can intervene.^[20]

Your extreme immigration enforcement operations in Illinois have already devastated families and torn at the social fabric of our communities. Please provide responses to the following questions by October 7, 2025:

1. We understand that federal officials from federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation have been deputized as immigration enforcement agents.
2. 1. How many law enforcement officials from federal agencies have been detailed to ICE or otherwise re-tasked to assist immigration enforcement from September 5, 2025, to date?
   2. From what agencies have these officials been diverted, and how much have these diversions cost?
   3. What steps are you taking to ensure that these officials' normal functions (such as investigations into drug trafficking and sex trafficking) are performed?
   4. What training have these officials received on immigration laws and immigration enforcement in the interior of the United States? Please provide training materials and specify whether the training included in-person instruction or a live webinar.
3. What policies are federal officials in Illinois following with respect to the use of force in enforcement operations? Please provide a written copy of any such policy and accompanying training materials.
4. Recent reporting shows that federal officials are utilizing military weaponry and gear, including drones and spotlights, for immigration raids. What is your policy on the use of military equipment and gear for raids?
5. DHS officials have reportedly brought social media influencers and celebrities on immigration raids.
6. 1. Please provide any policy guidance related to third-party influencers and celebrities participating in or observing immigration raids.
   2. Please provide a list of influencers and celebrities who have participated in or observed such raids.
7. Please provide details on any guidance or training by DHS to law enforcement officials regarding the use of uniforms, badges, labels, and associated gear during enforcement actions.
8. Please explain in detail, including by providing any written training or guidance, what, if any, training and guidance that federal officials sent to Chicago have received on responding to protests and de-escalation techniques, including the circumstances under which officers may deploy chemical agents and rubber bullets.
9. We understand that local officials have struggled to communicate with DHS officials in Illinois.
10. 1. Please describe in detail any efforts to coordinate with local officials.
    2. Please provide contact information that local officials may use to contact DHS when DHS is operating in their jurisdictions.
11. How many immigration arrests have you conducted in Illinois from September 5, 2025, to date?
12. 1. What screening have agents conducted to verify individual's status or U.S. citizenship prior to an arrest?
    2. How many of those arrested are U.S. citizens? Please provide the length of detention for each U.S. citizen arrested.
    3. How many of those arrested are noncitizens who held lawful status at the time of their arrest?
    4. How many of those arrested held Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals at the time of their arrest?
    5. How many of those arrested had no criminal convictions unrelated to immigration status?
    6. How many of those arrested are noncitizens who have been in the United States for more than two years? How many of these individuals does your agency consider subject to expedited removal proceedings under section 235 of the Immigration and Nationality Act? Please break down this group by the number of individuals who last entered the United States through parole, have previously held Temporary Protected Status, or entered without inspection.
13. How many enforcement actions have you conducted at Illinois businesses from September 5, 2025, to date?
14. 1. What criteria have you used to identify the worksites for enforcement actions?
    2. Did you have a warrant for each enforcement action or for an individual at each worksite?
    3. How many arrests occurred at each enforcement action at a worksite?
15. How many arrests have you conducted at a school or within 500 feet of a school from September 5, 2025, to date? Please break down this data by the date of the enforcement action, name of the school, number of individuals arrested at each school, and the ages of individuals arrested.
16. How many arrests have you conducted at a house of worship (such as a church, synagogue, mosque, or temple) or within 500 feet of a house of worship from September 5, 2025, to date? Please break down this data by the name of the house of worship, number of individuals arrested at each house of worship, and the ages of individuals arrested.
17. How many arrests have you conducted at a health care facility or within 500 feet of a health care facility from September 5, 2025, to date? Please break down this data by the name of the health care facility, number of individuals arrested at each health care facility, and the ages of individuals arrested.
18. Please provide all locations where individuals arrested in Illinois have been detained for longer than 12 hours, from September 5, 2025, to date.

We urge you to abandon your reckless operations in Illinois, provide much-needed transparency, and work with local leaders on efforts that actually improve community safety.

Sincerely,

-30-