More than 97% of immigrants detained in the Trump administration’s 'Operation Midway Blitz' in Chicago had no criminal conviction, according to federal court records. The data, released on Friday and first reported by the Chicago Tribune, contradicts the administration’s portrayal of the sweeps as targeting the 'worst of the worst' criminals.
Of the 614 immigrants arrested, only 16 had significant criminal histories, according to data submitted to the court by the Department of Homeland Security. Ten were convicted of or faced charges for assault, battery or domestic violence; one for enticement of a minor and kidnapping; and two for drunk-driving. The rest had no convictions or pending charges.
The data was part of a lawsuit, Castañon Nava v Department of Homeland Security, which alleges violations of a 2022 consent decree limiting warrantless arrests. The DHS also listed 39 additional detainees as security threats but did not specify reasons, according to the National Immigrant Justice Center.
The pattern extends beyond Chicago. In a separate operation in Los Angeles earlier this year, more than two-thirds of 722 detainees had no criminal convictions. Nationally, those without convictions now make up the largest group of ICE detainees at about 36%, a sharp rise since President Trump took office.
