Large-scale action targeted against immigrants in Chicago declared
In a surprising turn of events, the US government has announced the commencement of a major operation named "Operation Midway Blitz" by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency in Chicago. This operation, targeting "criminal illegal aliens," according to the Department of Homeland Security, has sparked controversy and raised questions about its execution and implications.
The announcement was made amidst resistance from the city administration and the governor of Illinois, JB Pritzker, who accused the US President Donald Trump's administration of heavy-handed tactics. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson echoed similar sentiments, stating that the city administration had not been informed by the US government about enhanced measures regarding migration.
The operation is reminiscent of previous interventions in democratically run cities such as Washington and Los Angeles. Over the weekend, Trump shared an AI-generated graphic depicting Chicago's skyline, reminiscent of the film "Apocalypse Now," hinting at a possible military deployment in the city. This speculation was further fuelled by the US President's post on Truth Social, stating that the US Department of Defense was renamed the War Department.
However, details of how the operation will be carried out were not provided, and it was unclear whether it had already begun. Reports suggest that US media has documented several "apparently random" arrests since Sunday at bus stops and on the streets, including a well-known flower vendor in the city.
The announcement of the operation's start was emotionally charged on social media by the Department of Homeland Security, linking it to the death of a young woman in a traffic accident in January, which it blamed on a drunk immigrant. Yet, there's no evidence to suggest that migrants are causing a crime wave or committing crimes at a higher rate than locals. Studies indicate the opposite, suggesting that migrants may have a lower crime rate.
The US government's move to deploy the National Guard in Chicago is a breach of the usual protocol, as governors of individual states typically control the National Guard. This deployment has been met with anger and concern, with Pritzker expressing his disapproval, stating that such actions undermine the democratic process.
In the midst of this controversy, it is crucial to uphold factual accuracy and avoid speculation. The Supreme Court has temporarily reinstated suspicionless controls of migrants in the Los Angeles area, lifting a restriction that banned officers from stopping people arbitrarily based on their appearance or language without sufficient cause. Yet, the evidence for how Operation Midway Blitz will be carried out remains elusive.
As this situation unfolds, the people of Chicago and the nation await further clarification on the execution and implications of Operation Midway Blitz.
