Federal immigration enforcement operations in Chicago are set to continue at full throttle through Halloween and Día de los Muertos, despite impassioned pleas from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and growing concerns among local families, community organizers, and public officials. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem made it clear on Thursday, October 30, 2025, that the high-profile operations dubbed Midway Blitz and At Large would not pause for the holidays, a decision that has sparked heated debate across the city and beyond.
Governor Pritzker, speaking at a news conference and through a formal letter to Secretary Noem, called for a temporary halt to the enforcement actions. His request was rooted in fears for the safety and well-being of children and families celebrating Halloween and Día de los Muertos, especially after a recent incident in which federal agents deployed tear gas on an Old Irving Park street just before a nearby children’s Halloween party. Pritzker’s concerns were echoed by parents, community leaders, and local lawmakers, who have watched anxiously as federal agents have made their presence felt in neighborhoods across Chicago.
"Give the children and the families of Illinois a break," Pritzker pleaded during his news conference. "Show us this is about something other than you just causing mayhem on our streets and visiting cruelty upon our people. Can we agree that there is no imminent threat that should disrupt their holiday? No child in America should have to go trick-or-treating in fear that they might be confronted with armed federal agents and have to inhale tear gas." According to Block Club Chicago, these remarks came just days after the tear gas incident, which left many in the community shaken and fearful for their children’s safety.
Secretary Noem, however, was unmoved by the governor’s appeal. In both a Thursday news conference and an interview on Fox News’s "America Reports," she defended the ongoing operations. "No, we’re going to be out on the streets in full force and increase our activities to make sure kids are safe," Noem said. "Every day in Chicago, we’re arresting murderers, child pedophiles, those who have perpetuated assault and pornography against children. We’re going to be out there to make sure that they can be safe, enjoy the holiday, spend some time with their families and their neighbors and their communities, and they don’t have to be the victim of a crime because of these illegal aliens that are in our country victimizing them."
Noem went further, criticizing Pritzker’s request as "shameful" and suggesting he failed to appreciate the importance of bringing criminals to justice. "Especially when we’re gonna send all our kiddos out on the street … we want to make sure they’re safe," she said, according to Block Club Chicago. The Department of Homeland Security reinforced this stance, with spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin accusing Pritzker of "going out of his way to smear the law enforcement officers of DHS, who are attempting to clean up the rampant crime he facilitated." McLaughlin added, "He is pushing a false narrative that DHS is targeting schools, hospitals, and churches. This is false, he knows this, but he continues to push these lies. Our officers are facing mass assaults, vehicles used as weapons, violence and only use crowd control methods as a last resort when repeated warnings have been given. Those who are here legally and are not breaking other laws have nothing to fear."
Still, critics of the operations argue that the federal agents themselves have become a source of fear and instability, especially for children and vulnerable families. U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis sharply admonished Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino during a court hearing earlier in the week, saying, "Kids dressed in Halloween costumes walking to a parade do not pose an immediate threat to the safety of a law enforcement officer. They just don’t. And you can’t use riot control weapons against them." The judge’s comments followed reports that federal agents had used riot control weapons in residential neighborhoods, incidents that have drawn condemnation from both local officials and civil rights groups.
Operation Midway Blitz, which began nearly two months before Noem’s October 30 announcement, has resulted in more than 3,000 arrests. However, details about who has been arrested remain murky. According to Block Club Chicago, ICE has been reluctant to share specifics, and there have been documented instances of U.S. citizens being detained during protests or swept up in raids—despite Noem’s insistence that "we focus on those that are here illegally, and anything that you would hear or report that would be different than that is simply not true and false reporting."
Among those caught up in the sweep was Ruben Torres Maldonado, the father of a teenage cancer patient. Maldonado, who was detained despite having no criminal record, was ordered released on a $2,000 bond on October 30, 2025, after a judge found no grounds for his continued detention. The incident has fueled further criticism of the enforcement tactics, with many questioning whether the operations are truly focused on "the worst of the worst," as federal officials claim.
Community organizers throughout Chicago have responded by ramping up efforts to support vulnerable families. Indoor trick-or-treat events, candy drop-offs, neighborhood patrols, and food distribution drives have been organized to help families feel safer and less isolated during the holidays. According to Block Club Chicago, groups like the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, Increase the Peace, and the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights have been especially active, providing legal resources, information, and emotional support to those affected by the raids.
The controversy has also spurred legislative action. Some Illinois lawmakers are working on bills that would ban ICE arrests in state courthouses and expand the state’s sanctuary law, aiming to protect immigrants at schools, hospitals, and other sensitive locations. The proposed laws reflect a broader push to limit the reach of federal immigration enforcement within the state’s borders.
Meanwhile, the legal battle continues. Federal Appeals Court temporarily paused an order requiring Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino to report to court daily, a measure initially imposed amid mounting scrutiny of ICE’s actions in the city. The court’s decision has bought Bovino and his agency some respite, but the underlying tensions remain unresolved.
On the ground, the operations show no sign of slowing. On October 30, 2025, federal agents made arrests at locations including Rockstar Fades on South Archer Avenue and near Portage Park Elementary, according to local rapid response teams. The persistent presence of federal agents near schools and community centers has only heightened anxiety among residents, many of whom worry about the long-term impact on their neighborhoods.
As Halloween and Día de los Muertos approach, Chicago finds itself at the intersection of national immigration policy and local community life. For many families, the holidays will be marked by a mix of celebration and uncertainty, as federal agents patrol the streets and community groups rally to provide support. The debate over the future of immigration enforcement in the city—and the country—shows no signs of abating, with both sides digging in for a prolonged struggle over safety, justice, and the meaning of belonging in America.
