By Maribel Velazquez
Eighteen Chicago residents filed administrative lawsuits against the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies, including the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Administration (ICE)after reporting abuse and violence during an immigration raid carried out in September 2025 as part of the so-called “Operation Midway Blitz.”
The legal actions were promoted by civil rights organizations such as MALDEFthe University of Chicago Immigrant Rights Clinic, the MacArthur Justice Center, and the National Immigrant Justice Center.
The complainants claim that Federal agents violently broke into a housing complex from the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago, using “militarized” tactics and without showing court orders.
According to complaints filed under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), More than 300 agents participated in the operation, supported by a Sunless Hawk helicopter, unmarked vans and drones that recorded the deployment.
Families claim that they were shot at and humiliated
The testimonies describe panic scenes occurring after midnight on September 30, 2025. Adults and minors were reportedly taken from their apartments at rifle point, some still in pajamas and barefoot.
The organizations claim that several people were beatenhandcuffed with plastic straps and held without explanation.
“Unarmed people were sleeping in their homes when They were met with a level of force and cruelty that was unthinkable. outside of a battlefield,” said Samuel White, an attorney at the University of Chicago Immigrant Rights Clinic.
The complainants also maintain that The operation was recorded by audiovisual equipment hired by him Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to later spread images on official social networks such as propaganda arena cloth.
Criticism grows against ICE raids
The case once again puts ICE tactics during the Donald Trump administration under scrutiny, particularly by the massive operations carried out in cities with a high immigrant population.
“This operation was a nightmare come true”said Jonathan Manes of the MacArthur Justice Center. “No government should turn constitutional violations into propaganda.”
The detained residents were transferred to the Broadview immigration center, where they also They denounced inhumane conditions of confinement.
The organizations They seek economic compensation and hold the federal government responsible for physical, emotional and material damages.
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