ICE Admits Most Arrested in Operation Midway Blitz Had No Convictions

Federal immigration officials falsely claimed the operation targeted 'the worst of the worst'

Apr. 18, 2026 at 12:19pm

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A fractured, abstract painting in shades of grey, blue, and black depicting a shadowy figure in motion, conveying the chaos and disruption of an aggressive immigration enforcement operation.An avant-garde painting captures the frenzied pace and disruption of a controversial immigration enforcement operation that targeted many without criminal records.Lyons Today

About 81% of those arrested in Chicago's 'Operation Midway Blitz' had no criminal convictions, despite federal immigration officials repeatedly claiming the aggressive operation was intended to target 'the worst of the worst.' The first concrete numbers provided show that of the 4,570 'administrative arrests' made between September and February, around 3,739 had no criminal convictions and were instead 'immigration violators' with pending charges.

Why it matters

This revelation contradicts the narrative pushed by ICE officials that the operation was focused on dangerous criminals. It raises concerns about the agency's tactics and transparency, as well as the impact on immigrant communities in Chicago who were subjected to the aggressive enforcement.

The details

According to the letter from ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, the agency conducted 4,570 'administrative arrests' in Illinois during Operation Midway Blitz, with none of those arrested being U.S. citizens. Lyons claimed the operation was intended to target 'the worst criminal aliens,' but the data shows that around 81% of those arrested had no criminal convictions and were instead 'immigration violators' with pending charges. The letter also acknowledged that federal agents used personnel from multiple other agencies, including the FBI, DEA, and IRS, to assist with immigration enforcement during the operation.

  • Operation Midway Blitz took place between mid-September and mid-October 2025.
  • The letter from ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons was sent on April 13, 2026, nearly seven months after the initial request for details.

The players

Todd Lyons

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

Sen. Dick Durbin

The Illinois senator who, along with the Illinois congressional delegation, requested details on Operation Midway Blitz back in September 2025.

Delia Ramirez

A Democratic U.S. Representative from Illinois who criticized the letter, stating that 'every fascist in the administration responsible for the terror of Midway Blitz must be held accountable.'

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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

“Today, we have the data to prove what our communities knew all along: DHS is the biggest threat to our collective safety, and funding it only fuels our own destruction and human suffering.”

— Delia Ramirez, U.S. Representative, Illinois

What’s next

The letter's revelations are likely to fuel further scrutiny and calls for accountability regarding the tactics and transparency of ICE and the Department of Homeland Security. Lawmakers and immigrant advocates will likely push for more detailed data and oversight of such enforcement operations.

The takeaway

This case highlights the disconnect between the rhetoric used by immigration enforcement officials and the reality on the ground, where the majority of those targeted had no criminal convictions. It raises serious questions about the true priorities and impact of aggressive immigration operations like Operation Midway Blitz on immigrant communities.