A recent report reveals that an overwhelming 97 percent of undocumented immigrants detained during recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in Chicago had no criminal record at the time of their arrests. This information was disclosed in a document submitted by the Department of Justice as part of an ongoing lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in federal court.
The document lists 614 names of individuals arrested, primarily under DHS’s “Operation Midway Blitz,” which commenced in September. This finding challenges the narrative promoted by the Trump administration, which has suggested that such operations target only the most dangerous criminals living in the country illegally.
According to Michelle Garcia, deputy legal director of the ACLU of Illinois, the data indicates a broad, indiscriminate sweep rather than a targeted approach. “You look at this list and it is very clear they just did a broad sweep of anybody and not a targeted sweep of people who were here unlawfully,” she stated, highlighting the apparent violation of a 2022 federal consent decree that restricts arrests without warrants or probable cause.
Among the 614 individuals listed, only 16 possess any criminal records, representing 2.6 percent of the total. The offenses noted include domestic battery, driving under the influence, indecent exposure, and kidnapping. Only one individual was identified as a national security risk, and another was classified as a foreign criminal. Notably, none of those detained were arrested or convicted for murder or rape, despite DHS’s claims of targeting violent offenders.
The Chicago Tribune, which first reported the story, sought clarification from DHS regarding the discrepancy between the agency’s claims and the data presented. In response, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin noted that over 5,000 arrests had occurred in the Chicago area, asserting that approximately 70 percent of illegal aliens arrested nationwide have criminal convictions or pending charges. However, the source of this statistic remains unclear as DHS has not published official arrest data.
As the legal proceedings unfold, Federal Judge Jeffrey Cummings, who is overseeing the case in Illinois, has extended the consent decree until early next year. This extension may allow a growing number of recently detained immigrants to qualify for release. Judge Cummings has ordered the government to provide, by November 19, the names and assessed threat levels of approximately 3,200 individuals arrested since June 11.
The Trump administration is contesting the judge’s ruling, leading to ongoing debates about the legality and ethics of current immigration enforcement practices. As more information becomes available, the implications of these findings may prompt further scrutiny of ICE operations and their alignment with legal standards.
