Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revealed that a nationwide immigration enforcement campaign targeting "criminal illegal aliens" has been extended to five other states beyond Chicago. According to the Trump administration officials present at the news conference in Gary, Indiana, the operation includes Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, Kentucky, and Kansas.
Noem claimed that no American citizens have been detained or arrested during the campaign, despite evidence to the contrary. She reiterated that the focus is on individuals who are here illegally, and any reports suggesting otherwise are "simply not true".
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons stated that over 3,000 people have been arrested in the Midway Blitz operation, although it appears the majority of those arrests were made outside Chicago.
Critics argue that more than 800 recent arrests may violate a consent decree limiting ICE's ability to make warrantless arrests. Examples include a father and son pulled over leaving Home Depot, a mother of four arrested driving to the grocery store, and a man stopped while taking his family to church.
In Indiana, undocumented immigrants were arrested during highway patrols, with 223 individuals taken into custody. Noem claimed that these drivers were associated with "criminal activity", citing assault as the most serious crime. However, she did not provide specifics.
The law allowing undocumented immigrants to apply for standard four-year driver's licenses in Illinois has been criticized by some officials. The Secretary of State's office stated on Thursday that undocumented immigrants are not allowed to obtain a commercial driver's license in Illinois.
Governor JB Pritzker responded to Noem's comments, saying she should focus on keeping communities safe rather than putting on pause enforcement efforts during Halloween activities. He also accused her of "dressing up as law enforcement" and comparing it to tear-gassing children trick-or-treating.
A small group of protesters gathered outside the Gary airport to express their disapproval of Noem's visit, holding signs that read, "No ICE, Leave Our Neighbors Alone" and "Close ICE Concentration Camps".
Noem claimed that no American citizens have been detained or arrested during the campaign, despite evidence to the contrary. She reiterated that the focus is on individuals who are here illegally, and any reports suggesting otherwise are "simply not true".
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons stated that over 3,000 people have been arrested in the Midway Blitz operation, although it appears the majority of those arrests were made outside Chicago.
Critics argue that more than 800 recent arrests may violate a consent decree limiting ICE's ability to make warrantless arrests. Examples include a father and son pulled over leaving Home Depot, a mother of four arrested driving to the grocery store, and a man stopped while taking his family to church.
In Indiana, undocumented immigrants were arrested during highway patrols, with 223 individuals taken into custody. Noem claimed that these drivers were associated with "criminal activity", citing assault as the most serious crime. However, she did not provide specifics.
The law allowing undocumented immigrants to apply for standard four-year driver's licenses in Illinois has been criticized by some officials. The Secretary of State's office stated on Thursday that undocumented immigrants are not allowed to obtain a commercial driver's license in Illinois.
Governor JB Pritzker responded to Noem's comments, saying she should focus on keeping communities safe rather than putting on pause enforcement efforts during Halloween activities. He also accused her of "dressing up as law enforcement" and comparing it to tear-gassing children trick-or-treating.
A small group of protesters gathered outside the Gary airport to express their disapproval of Noem's visit, holding signs that read, "No ICE, Leave Our Neighbors Alone" and "Close ICE Concentration Camps".
I'm not sure how I feel about this whole immigration enforcement thing... it sounds like a total overreach 
. I mean, come on, 800+ people arrested for driving to the grocery store? That's just crazy talk 
. And what's with all these "criminal aliens" being targeted? Don't we have enough laws already? 
. Can't they just focus on the issue at hand instead of going after each other? 
And what's with all these different states getting involved? It feels like a bigger mess than we already have 
.
I'm getting so tired of this immigration enforcement thingy. It feels like they're just making it up as they go along 
. Like, what even is a "criminal illegal alien"? Is that even a real thing? And who decides who gets to be targeted and who doesn't? 
. I'm starting to think that's what this whole thing is about - cracking down on anyone who doesn't fit their idea of "law-abiding".
.
Here are some stats that got me thinking: 
. Like, shouldn't they be following the law? 
Not cool at all. And what's with the "criminal activity" claim? 
. I mean, I get it, immigration enforcement is a serious issue, but come on! 3,000 people arrested in the Midway Blitz operation? That's just crazy. And Noem trying to spin it like no Americans were detained or arrested? Give me a break 
. I mean, I'm all for celebrating Halloween, but at the end of the day, we need to be talking about how to treat each other with dignity and respect.
. I don't think we should just focus on "criminal alien" offenders 
. And those innocent people like the mother of four or the man stopped at church? 
That's not right! 
. They're just trying to stand up for what's right 
. And Governor Pritzker has a point too 
. We need to keep our communities safe, but we can't do that by putting people in fear 
First of all, how can they claim no American citizens have been detained or arrested when there's evidence to the contrary? 
It's just so wild. And what's up with the law about driver's licenses in Illinois? 
Like, isn't that kinda fair considering she's making these claims? 