Chicago Police Chief Defends Controversial Deportation Operation

Superintendent Larry Snelling says the public needs more education on police policies during immigration enforcement.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 8:11pm

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A cinematic painting of a lone police officer standing in a dimly lit urban alleyway, the officer's face obscured in shadow as warm sunlight casts dramatic diagonal shadows, conveying a somber, introspective mood around the controversial immigration enforcement operation.The Chicago Police Department's role in a controversial deportation operation has raised questions about transparency and accountability around immigration enforcement policies.Chicago Today

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling defended the department's actions during the aggressive deportation campaign known as Operation Midway Blitz, saying the public needs to be better educated on policies like the Welcoming City Ordinance and the TRUST Act that govern how police are supposed to handle these situations. Snelling's comments come as a new study recommends putting hundreds more officers on the street by moving some out of desk jobs and hiring more cops.

Why it matters

The Operation Midway Blitz deportation campaign sparked controversy and criticism over the Chicago Police Department's role in immigration enforcement, which is limited by the city's Welcoming City Ordinance. Snelling's defense of the department's actions during the operation raises questions about transparency and accountability around police policies related to immigration.

The details

During the Operation Midway Blitz deportation campaign, Chicago police assisted federal immigration authorities in detaining and deporting undocumented immigrants. This sparked backlash from immigrant rights groups who argued the department was violating the city's Welcoming City Ordinance, which limits cooperation between local police and federal immigration enforcement. Snelling said the public needs to be better educated on what police are 'supposed to do in these situations' under policies like the Welcoming City Ordinance and the TRUST Act.

  • On October 17, 2023, Snelling vowed to rid the department of officers tied to anti-government extremist groups, but nine of those officers will face no discipline.

The players

Larry Snelling

The superintendent of the Chicago Police Department who defended the department's actions during the controversial Operation Midway Blitz deportation campaign.

Chicago Police Department

The local law enforcement agency in Chicago that assisted federal immigration authorities during the Operation Midway Blitz deportation campaign, sparking criticism over its compliance with the city's Welcoming City Ordinance.

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What they’re saying

“I think the public needs to be better educated on the Welcoming City Ordinance, the TRUST Act — [and] what police officers are supposed to do in these situations.”

— Larry Snelling, Chicago Police Superintendent

The takeaway

Snelling's defense of the police department's actions during the controversial Operation Midway Blitz deportation campaign highlights the ongoing tensions between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, as well as the need for greater transparency and public education around policies that govern how police handle immigration-related enforcement.