Overview

• Customs and Border Protection moved four marine patrol vessels into the Chicago River as part of its Midway Blitz immigration enforcement surge.
• Armed agents cruised the river on Thursday and shared photos online, including images near Trump Tower with the message, "Where streets end, our Marine Unit begins."
• Mayor Brandon Johnson said the river operation was not communicated to local law enforcement and criticized it as an intimidation tactic.
• Downtown Ald. Brendan Reilly described the outing as a photo op, questioning the purpose of border-style patrols in the city’s waterways.
• CBP leader Gregory Bovino said he received positive feedback from some residents, even as critics note the Chicago River is far from any international border.