A federal judge has ordered the release of hundreds of individuals arrested in Illinois as part of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, known as “Operation Midway Blitz.” U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Cummings sided with attorneys from the National Immigration Justice Center (NIJC) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), who argued that federal agents violated a 2022 settlement agreement regarding warrantless arrests in the Chicago area.
The order mandates that those released must be granted bond by November 21. The exact number of individuals released will depend on how many have not already voluntarily left the country or been deported. The lawsuit alleged that more than 3,000 people were arrested between June and October, with at least 615 individuals still in custody nationwide.
Judge Cummings’ ruling highlights the unlawful tactics used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during the crackdown. ICE agents often conducted “collateral arrests” without warrants, a practice deemed illegal by the court. The judge imposed limits on such arrests and required ICE to report monthly on the number of warrantless arrests in the Chicago area.
The ruling comes amid ongoing debates about racial profiling and constitutional rights, as the Trump administration’s immigration policies continue to face legal challenges. The government is expected to appeal the decision, and the order requires retraining for immigration officers who violated the consent decree.
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