Overview
- U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Cummings directed that at least 615 people arrested during Operation Midway Blitz be released by Nov. 15 and post a $1,500 bond by Nov. 21, unless they have already been removed.
- Cummings found the detentions violated a prior settlement governing warrantless immigration arrests, siding with challenges brought by the National Immigrant Justice Center and the ACLU.
- Separately, the administration asked the 7th Circuit to stay Judge Sara Ellis’ preliminary injunction limiting agents’ use of force, after Ellis deemed government testimony not credible and imposed requirements on tear gas, warnings, body cameras and identification.
- Multiple outlets report Border Patrol Cmdr. Greg Bovino is set to leave Chicago and some agents may redeploy, while DHS says it is not exiting and will maintain a law‑enforcement presence.
- DHS credits the operation with sharp crime declines, but city data reviewed by NBC News show major categories were already falling before the September surge, and local officials dispute federal claims of credit.