A massive overnight immigration raid in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood left dozens detained and families in shock. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as federal agents stormed an apartment complex, pulling adults and children from their homes, some in tears.
“I’ve been on military bases for much of my life,” said neighbor Darrell Ballard, who lives next door. “And what I saw—it was an invasion.” Ballard recalled seeing residents handcuffed outside for hours as a Black Hawk helicopter circled overhead and military-style vehicles filled the parking lot early Tuesday morning.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the multiagency operation resulted in 37 arrests, primarily of undocumented immigrants from Venezuela, with others from Mexico, Nigeria, and Colombia. The raid was part of “Operation Midway Blitz,” an ongoing federal crackdown that has led to over 800 arrests in Chicago since September 8. DHS did not confirm whether those arrested in South Shore were included in that total.
Officials said the apartment complex was targeted because it was “known to be frequented by Tren de Aragua members and their associates,” referring to a Venezuelan criminal gang. Two of the suspects are believed to be gang members. Several others reportedly had prior convictions for aggravated battery and drug possession.
Governor Condemns Federal Actions
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker sharply criticized the federal operation in a statement Friday, accusing agents of “snatching up families, scaring law-abiding residents, violating due process rights, and even detaining U.S. citizens.” He argued that federal officers should focus on violent criminals rather than “creating panic in our communities.”
Scenes of Destruction and Fear
Photos from the aftermath showed broken windows, debris-lined hallways, and scattered belongings inside apartments. CNN reached out to building management for comment but has not received a response.
Tenants said nearly everyone in the building was detained, regardless of immigration status. Pertissue Fisher, a resident, told WLS she was handcuffed despite having no warrants. “It was scary because I had never had a gun in my face,” she said. Fisher was released around 3 a.m.
DHS confirmed that one U.S. citizen with an active narcotics warrant was arrested and handed over to the Chicago Police Department. Ballard noted that most of those detained were Black residents, many held outside for up to three hours.
Children Taken Into Custody
Federal agents also detained four U.S.-born children whose parents are undocumented. DHS said the children were temporarily placed in custody “for their own safety” after one was found with an alleged Tren de Aragua member. The agency stated the children would remain under care until placed with a guardian or the state.
Across the country, hundreds of U.S. citizen children have been separated from undocumented parents amid increased immigration enforcement. CNN’s review of public records and verified campaigns found more than 100 American children left stranded without parents this year.
Witness Accounts of Chaos
Neighbor Eboni Watson described hearing flash bangs and seeing terrified residents. “The kids were crying, people were screaming. They looked distraught,” she said. “I was out there crying when I saw a little girl being brought down—they had the kids zip-tied together.”
Military-style trucks and vans were used to separate parents from children during the operation, witnesses said.
In a statement, DHS said it was still processing the details of the raid due to its size but defended the operation:
“Federal law enforcement officers will not stand by and allow criminal activity to flourish in our American neighborhoods.”
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