Federal immigration agents patrolled downtown Chicago on Sunday as the Trump administration ramps up immigration crackdowns in major cities across the country.
The Border Patrol agents spotted downtown were armed, masked and camouflaged, according to NewsNation, The Hill’s sister network.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said hundreds of ICE officers were downtown as part of its “Midway Blitz” operation in Chicago, which began on Sept. 8, NewsNation reported.
The Chicago Sun-Times reported that agents made multiple arrests downtown, including in the River North neighborhood Sunday morning.
The Department of Homeland Security said in a post on the social platform X that 11 people were arrested outside an ICE detention facility in Broadview, Ill., on Saturday amid a large protest at the center.
The post added that two guns were seized and an investigation has been opened “into what appears to be some sort of explosive device” outside the facility.
The raids have sparked concerns from immigrant communities and outrage from Democratic lawmakers.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) called the presence “a show of intimidation” that is “instilling fear in our communities and hurting our businesses.”
“We cannot normalize militarizing American cities and suburbs,” Pritzker added in another post Sunday. “Make sure you know your rights and stay alert.”
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) said Chicago residents “are being intimidated and threatened by masked federal agents flaunting automatic weapons for no apparent reason.”
The administration defended the actions Sunday, after federal agents were seen walking through downtown Chicago, including near the Trump International Hotel and Tower.
“I would say the majority are actually glad we’re here,” Gregory Bovino, commander-at-large of U.S. Border Patrol, told NewsNation of the public reaction. “They are congratulating us, saying, ‘It’s about time you’re here.’ Especially those inner-city residents here in Chicago are very glad were here, because oftentimes they’re up against that vast illegal migration that took place over the past four years. They’re the ones dealing with the violence perpetrated by illegal aliens.”
Johnson has previously criticized the Trump administration for threatening to send National Guard troops to Chicago.
Last month, the president sent troops to Washington, D.C., and federalized the District’s police department. Six other Republican-led states — Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia — have also sent troops to Washington.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) also told reporters Friday that federal agents will arrive in Memphis this week, following Trump signing an executive order establishing the Memphis Safe Task Force on Sept. 15.
The president said Saturday that he is also sending federal troops to Portland, Ore., and has suggested that Chicago may be next.
“This is another brazen provocation from the Trump administration that does nothing to make our city safer,” Johnson added.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
