ICE Defends Operation Midway Blitz, Claims Most Arrests Were of Non-Citizens

Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons resigns as agency faces scrutiny over controversial immigration sweep in Chicago

Apr. 17, 2026 at 9:51pm

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A moody, cinematic painting of a lone ICE vehicle parked on a dimly lit city street, with warm sunlight and deep shadows creating a sense of tension and unease.The aggressive tactics of Operation Midway Blitz have cast a long shadow over immigrant communities in Illinois, raising concerns about federal immigration enforcement overreach.Chicago Today

About 81% of those arrested in the controversial 'Operation Midway Blitz' immigration sweep in Chicago last year had no criminal convictions, according to new details provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The agency also claimed that no U.S. citizens were arrested, despite reports to the contrary. The revelations come as the acting ICE director, Todd Lyons, announced his resignation effective May 31.

Why it matters

The Operation Midway Blitz crackdown in Chicago sparked outrage over allegations of aggressive tactics, civil rights violations, and the targeting of non-criminal immigrants. The new data raises further questions about the true intent and impact of the operation, as well as ICE's transparency and accountability.

The details

According to the letter from Lyons to the Illinois congressional delegation, between September 5 and February 17, ICE conducted 4,570 'administrative arrests' in Illinois, with about 81% of those arrested having no criminal convictions. Instead, Lyons said, they were 'immigration violators' with pending criminal charges. The agency also claimed that none of those arrested were U.S. citizens, contradicting reports that at least 170 citizens were detained in the first nine months of the operation.

  • Operation Midway Blitz took place between mid-September and mid-October 2025.
  • Lyons' resignation as acting ICE director is effective May 31, 2026.

The players

Todd Lyons

The acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement who tendered his resignation, effective May 31, 2026.

Dick Durbin

The U.S. Senator from Illinois who, along with the state's congressional delegation, requested details about Operation Midway Blitz from ICE.

Brandon Johnson

The Mayor of Chicago, whom Lyons blamed for 'struggles in communications' with ICE during the operation.

JB Pritzker

The Governor of Illinois, whom Lyons also blamed for lack of cooperation with ICE during Operation Midway Blitz.

Silverio Villegas González

A father and cook originally from Mexico who was fatally shot at 'close range' as he allegedly tried to flee a traffic stop during Operation Midway Blitz.

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What they’re saying

“The focus of Operation Midway Blitz was on arresting the worst criminal aliens and protecting the peace and dignity of Illinois' communities.”

— Todd Lyons, Acting Director, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

“All ICE officers are taught ICE's Use of Force Continuum, which includes de-escalation training. Furthermore, ICE officers are taught how to apply the reasonableness standard when using force. ICE officers may use only the amount of force which is objectively reasonable to gain control of a subject and the use of any level of force must discontinue immediately when the subject no longer presents a threat.”

— Todd Lyons, Acting Director, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

What’s next

The Illinois congressional delegation is likely to continue pressing ICE for more transparency and accountability around Operation Midway Blitz and the agency's broader immigration enforcement tactics.

The takeaway

The new details from ICE raise serious questions about the true intent and impact of Operation Midway Blitz, which was billed as targeting 'the worst criminal aliens' but appears to have swept up a large number of non-criminal immigrants. This case highlights ongoing concerns about civil liberties, due process, and the potential for abuse within the U.S. immigration enforcement system.