Judge Orders Release Of Hundreds Arrested During Immigration Raids

A federal judge has ordered the release of hundreds of people arrested in Illinois during the Trump administration’s large-scale immigration operation known as “Operation Midway Blitz.” The ruling from U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Cummings marks a significant legal setback for federal immigration authorities, siding with arguments made by the National Immigration Justice Center and the ACLU. Both organizations contended that immigration agents had violated a 2022 settlement that restricted warrantless arrests in the Chicago region.

Under the judge’s order, all affected individuals must be granted bond by November 21. How many will ultimately be freed remains uncertain, as some have already left the country voluntarily or been deported. Advocates say that between June and October, ICE arrested more than 3,000 people nationwide in connection with the operation, with at least 615 still detained at the time the lawsuit was filed.

Judge Cummings found that ICE relied heavily on illegal “collateral arrests,” detaining people without warrants while searching for others — a tactic the 2022 agreement specifically prohibited. In response, the court not only barred these practices but also required ICE to provide monthly reports detailing any warrantless arrests made in the Chicago area.

The decision arrives amid continued scrutiny of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement strategies, which critics argue have encouraged racial profiling and systemic violations of constitutional protections. Federal officials are expected to appeal the ruling. The order also requires retraining for immigration officers who breached the earlier consent decree, underscoring the court’s concerns about ongoing noncompliance within the agency.

Source: WBZ NEWSRADIO