Overview
- On Oct. 29, Gov. J.B. Pritzker asked DHS to suspend enforcement from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2 near homes, schools, parks, houses of worship, hospitals and community gatherings.
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem denied the request on Oct. 30 and said ICE and CBP would be “in full force,” with increased street operations on Halloween.
- Noem said Operation Midway Blitz has resulted in more than 3,000 arrests and includes 223 undocumented commercial drivers stopped on Indiana highways.
- Pritzker criticized federal tactics, citing a reported tear-gas raid near a Halloween parade in Chicago’s Old Irving Park and alleging peaceful neighborhoods were targeted.
- A TRAC database cited by critics indicates more than 71% of detainees tied to the operation lack criminal convictions, while DHS highlights arrests of serious offenders including violent criminals.