The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has initiated fresh immigration enforcement activities specifically targeting Chicago and Boston. The development marks an intensification of federal actions in Democratic-controlled regions, as the Trump administration amplifies its efforts against cities designated as “sanctuary” jurisdictions.
On Saturday, DHS verified through its X social media account the implementation of “Operation Midway Blitz” in Illinois.
The agency stated that this initiative honors the memory of Katie Abraham, a 20-year-old woman who lost her life in January during a vehicular incident that officials attribute to an undocumented motorist.
“The operation targets illegal criminals who are flooding into Chicago and Illinois because they know Democratic Governor JB Pritzker’s sanctuary policies protect them,” DHS said in a statement quoted by NPR .
Anger and Confusion in Chicago
The development came amid a weekend of uncertainty characterized by direct warnings from President Trump targeting Chicago.
Through social media, the president announced that the city would soon comprehend “why the Department of Defense is called the Department of War.”
Governor Pritzker responded on X: “Trump is threatening to wage war on an American city. This is not a joke. This is not normal.”
On Sunday, the president moderated his stance. “We’re not going to war. We’re going to clean up our cities. We’re going to clean them up so they don’t murder five people every weekend. It’s not war—it’s common sense,” he told reporters at the White House, according to NPR .
Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth strongly denounced the federal operations. “The operations in Chicago are costly, ineffective, inhumane, and make Illinois residents less safe,” she said Monday. She added: “Massively deploying law enforcement to track down nonviolent civil offenders does nothing to keep our country safe.”
Boston in the Crosshairs
Simultaneously, additional immigration enforcement activities were verified in Massachusetts.
Local station WBUR disclosed that DHS had commenced “Patriot 2.0,” a fresh statewide enforcement initiative, concentrating particularly on Boston.
The agency contends that Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is attracting undocumented immigrants through local sanctuary protections. DHS accused the municipality of “harboring and sheltering criminals.”
The previous initiative, dubbed “Patriot,” resulted in approximately 1,500 arrests across Massachusetts in May, according to WBUR.
In response, Wu maintained her position. “I will not back down,” she declared in a public statement.
These federal operations constitute elements of a larger series of enforcement measures across major Democratic-administered cities.
In Washington, D.C., National Guard personnel maintain their patrol duties—occasionally armed—despite crime statistics showing the lowest rates in three decades, according to Department of Justice data.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Monday affirmed the continuation of immigration enforcement operations in Los Angeles. The ruling permits federal agents to perform “mobile patrols” and conduct stops based on physical appearance throughout Southern California.
President Trump has additionally indicated plans to deploy troops to Baltimore and New Orleans, suggesting an impending escalation of federal interventions in “sanctuary” cities over the next several months.
A Climate of Fear for Immigrant Communities
In Chicago’s neighborhoods, community members expressed significant apprehension.
Multiple demonstrations occurred Saturday opposing what protesters characterized as the militarization of their city. Demonstrators carried signs stating: “No war on our families.”
In Boston, the implementation of Patriot 2.0 generated anxiety within immigrant neighborhoods.
The city serves as home to one of America’s largest international student communities and is among the top three destinations for Haitian immigrants.
For numerous residents, the increased presence of federal vehicles and officers has created an atmosphere of distrust.
Municipal authorities express concern that collaboration between residents and local law enforcement might deteriorate, as immigrants increasingly fear any contact with police.
The Trump administration maintains its support for these actions. Officials contend that these operations are vital for restoring order and improving public safety. Democratic leaders, however, criticize these measures as politically motivated tactics intended to intimidate cities opposing the president.
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Sources: NPR
