Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem participated in an enforcement operation in Illinois, leading to multiple detentions and arrests related to Operation Midway Blitz. Advocates argued the operations could unfairly target U.S. citizens and impact mixed-status families. DHS has confirmed the five arrests.

Noem said, “President Trump has been clear: if politicians will not put the safety of their citizens first, this administration will.” She added, “Just this morning, DHS took violent offenders off the streets with arrests for assault, DUI, and felony stalking. Our work is only beginning.”

DHS said those arrested were undocumented with prior convictions, including DUI with a child passenger and violent assault. Two U.S. citizens were briefly detained for safety and released.

Officials said the operation targeted noncitizens with criminal histories in Chicago over several weeks. Video shared by Noem showed agents escorting handcuffed individuals.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said, “On August 28, ICE arrested Nathaniel Rojas, a criminal alien from the Dominican Republic. His criminal history includes convictions for felony grand larceny, felony aggravated DUI with a child passenger less than 16 years old, identity theft, and retail theft. This criminal alien is in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.”

Critics said many detainees had no criminal record, citing federal data, and argued the administration’s focus on high arrest totals raises due process concerns.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/lawsuit-alleges-ice-detains-u-s-residents/ss-AA1Oi2Ll