Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations increased in Chicago, the biggest since Operation Midway Blitz in September, 2025. That operation saw U.S. citizens temporarily detained.

Since then, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE changed their immigration enforcement strategy. According to the Chicago Tribune, there’s been an uptake in arrests at courthouses and immigration meeting appointments. As of the first half of 2026, Chicago has the third highest number of removal orders after New York and Houston. After the initial surge, state leaders established the Illinois Accountability Commission. The Commission’s job is collecting evidence about ICE’ actions, including the agency’s leadership, and make accountability recommendations. Its final report came out in April, 2026.

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