Trump Administration Launches Immigration Crackdown in Chicago

CHICAGO, Ill. — The Trump administration launched a multi-agency immigration enforcement operation in Chicago on Sunday, targeting undocumented immigrants as part of a broader national effort to increase deportations. The operation involves Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and other federal agencies, according to multiple sources.

The initiative, described as “enhanced directed operations,” aims to enforce U.S. immigration laws and remove individuals deemed threats to public and national safety. ICE confirmed the operation in a statement, emphasizing collaboration with federal partners, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the U.S. Marshals Service.

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman issued a directive granting Department of Justice law enforcement agencies expanded immigration enforcement authority. “The mobilization of these law enforcement officers will help fulfill President Trump’s promise to the American people to carry out mass deportations,” Huffman said in a statement.

ICE field offices have reportedly been instructed to meet a daily quota of 75 arrests, part of an effort to surpass last year’s total of 113,431 administrative arrests. The operation has drawn criticism from immigrant advocacy groups, who argue it targets law-abiding individuals and violates constitutional rights.

Chicago, a self-declared sanctuary city, has resisted federal immigration enforcement efforts. The Chicago Police Department stated it does not document immigration status or share information with federal immigration authorities, citing its “Welcoming City Ordinance.”

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker expressed support for deporting undocumented immigrants with serious criminal records but criticized the administration’s approach. “If they’re focusing on violent criminals, we agree,” Pritzker told CNN. “But they’re going after people who are law-abiding, who have jobs and families here. Why go after them? They’re not a problem for our country.”

The operation has also sparked legal challenges. Groups such as Organized Communities Against Deportation and the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights filed a lawsuit alleging constitutional violations, including freedom of speech and protection against arbitrary searches and detentions.

This crackdown comes amid heightened tensions over immigration policy, with the Trump administration implementing measures to restrict legal immigration pathways, expand enforcement powers, and target sanctuary jurisdictions. The operation in Chicago is expected to extend to other cities in the coming days, signaling a significant escalation in immigration enforcement efforts.