Overview
- Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said ICE and Border Patrol would operate in “full force” on Halloween, calling Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s pause request “shameful.”
- Residents reported tear gas during an Oct. 25 operation in Old Irving Park and a 76-year-old U.S. citizen was allegedly injured; DHS said agents faced agitators, issued warnings, and arrested a noncitizen along with two U.S. citizens accused of assaulting officers.
- U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis reminded Border Patrol of court limits, cautioned against deploying chemical agents where children are present, and emphasized identification and oversight requirements.
- Chicago-area leaders curtailed Halloween activities as Evanston officials reported disruptive federal activity near schools, with districts closing outdoor access and local aldermen organizing candy drop-offs for families staying home.
- Operations continued through the holiday with arrests reported in Chicago and suburbs, DHS promoted more than 3,000 arrests under ‘Operation Midway Blitz,’ and separate reports in Los Angeles showed agents in horror masks, drawing a “Happy Halloween!” response from a DHS spokeswoman.