Federal agents stormed a South Shore apartment building in Chicago early Tuesday morning in one of the largest immigration raids the city has seen in years.
The pre-dawn operation involved helicopters, drones, and armed officers from several federal agencies.
Agents arrested 37 people and detained others, including U.S. citizens, during the raid. They are alleged to have separated families, removed naked children, and destroyed apartment buildings.
Highlights
- Federal agents conducted one of Chicago’s largest immigration raids, arresting 37 people in a South Shore apartment building early Tuesday.
- The raid involved helicopters, drones, flashbang grenades, and officers from Border Patrol, FBI, and ATF over a pre-dawn operation.
- Four U.S. citizen children were separated from their families and detained until placement with guardians or the state.
- Illinois Governor and Chicago Mayor condemned the raid, criticizing it as fearmongering rather than targeting violent criminals.
- The raid is part of Operation Midway Blitz, which has led to over 900 arrests in Illinois despite the federal government shutdown.
Federal agents conducted one of the biggest immigration raids in a Chicago apartment building
Image credits: Jacek Boczarski/Getty Images
Residents say they heard noises around 1 a.m. at 7500 S. South Shore Drive, with doors being battered down and flashbang grenades reportedly exploding.
One such resident, Dan Jones, spoke to the Chicago Sun-Times and recalled hearing someone trying to break through his apartment door in the night, but they were unsuccessful.
In the morning, he saw a hallway that was full of broken doors, and many of his neighbors were missing.
When Jones returned home later that day, he found his electronics had been taken and his belongings thrown across the floor. He has no idea who took his things. “I’m pissed off,” he said. “I feel defeated because the authorities aren’t doing anything.”
Toys, shoes, and food were still in piles in the building’s hallways on Wednesday morning.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), agents from Border Patrol, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) carried out the raid.
They said some of those arrested “are believed to be involved in drug trafficking and distribution, weapons crimes and immigration violators.”
The agency also claimed the area is known to be frequented by Tren de Aragua gang members and associates, though officials did not provide evidence that those arrested were members.
Apartments were allegedly broken into and raided by Border Patrol, the FBI, and ATF
In an exclusive interview with News Nation, Border Patrol Commander-At-Large Gregory Bovino said: “How about you live in the apartment next-door to the Tren de Aragua members that are trafficking prostitution, guns, drugs and taking advantage of American citizens in a violent way.”
Ebony Sweets Watson, who lives across the street, told the Chicago Sun-Times it was “what looked like hundreds” of officers outside.
“It was heartbreaking to watch,” she said. “Even if you’re not a mother, seeing kids coming out buck naked and taken from their mothers, it was horrible.”
She further described the scenes: “You could see people's birth certificates, and papers thrown all over. Water was leaking into the hallway. It was wicked crazy.”
Four children who are U.S. citizens have been separated from their families
The wife of a detained man from Ecuador falls to the ground during an altercation with a federal agent on September 25, 2025. Image credits: Stephanie Keith/Getty Images
Another neighbor told ABC7 Chicago that they saw parents being separated from their children using trucks and military-style vans.
DHS confirmed that four children who are U.S. citizens were taken into custody temporarily until they could be placed with guardians or the state.
Some U.S. citizens were also detained during the operation. Rodrick Johnson, 67, said agents broke down his door, zip-tied him, and held him outside for three hours. “I asked if they had a warrant, and I asked for a lawyer,” he told the Sun-Times. “They never brought one.”
Pertissue Fisher, another resident, told ABC7 Chicago that they were treated like they “were nothing.”
“They [were] like, piling us all up in the back on the other side, and it wasn't no room to move nowhere,” she recalled.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson condemned the raid.
Pritzker accused federal agents of “acting like jackbooted thugs” and said the operation was not about public safety but “about sowing fear and intimidation and division among Americans.”
Pritzker later claimed at a press conference that federal agents were not targeting violent criminals or gang members as Donald Trump has pledged to do.
DHS has arrested over 900 people under the Operation Midway Blitz
He said 60% of the individuals ICE has taken into custody have no criminal convictions.
The raid is part of “Operation Midway Blitz,” an operation launched by Trump’s administration on September 8.
In recent days, federal agents have increased their presence in Chicago, including downtown patrols in camouflage.
According to the DHS, more than 900 people have been arrested so far in Illinois under the operation.
Image credits: Scott Olson/Getty Images
DHS raids are continuing despite the federal government being shut down on October 1.
On Tuesday evening, protesters gathered downtown to denounce the raids.
Demonstrators blocked parts of Michigan Avenue. Organizers said they plan to keep protesting as federal operations continue.