Photo courtesy of Fox 4 News
CHICAGO – Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in collaboration with several federal agencies, launched what they described as “enhanced targeted operations” in Chicago on Sunday.
In a statement shared on social media, ICE emphasized its mission to uphold U.S. immigration laws while ensuring public safety and national security by addressing “potentially dangerous criminal aliens” within communities.
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Chicago office confirmed its involvement in the operations, working alongside the Department of Justice (DOJ) and ICE. Photos posted on the DEA’s X account appeared to show Tom Homan, a prominent border enforcement advocate, conversing with federal agents during the effort.
Federal agents were observed outside a residence at 99th and Commercial Avenue on Sunday afternoon, one of the sites reportedly under ICE scrutiny.
“There were about five cars, and at first, I thought it was just the police,” a local resident recounted. “But then I saw the badges—it was ICE. Thankfully, no one answered the door. They were out there for about five minutes before leaving.”
Additional sightings of agents were reported in Garfield Park, as shown in videos posted to the Citizen app. However, ICE has not disclosed further details regarding other operations within the city.
Mayor Responds, Assures Residents of CPD Non-Involvement
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson issued a statement on X around 6 p.m. Sunday, clarifying that the Chicago Police Department (CPD) was not involved in ICE activities, per city ordinance.
“There have been confirmed reports of ICE enforcement activity in Chicago today, Sunday, Jan. 26,” Johnson wrote. “Per city code, CPD was not involved in this immigration enforcement activity. My team and I are in close communication with city officials, including the CPD. It is imperative that all Chicagoans know their constitutional rights and share the ‘Know Your Rights’ guidance with their neighbors and community.”
ICE noted that its operations included partnerships with multiple federal agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the U.S. Marshals Service.
DOJ Leadership Observes Operations
Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove visited Chicago on Sunday to oversee the immigration enforcement activities. According to DOJ spokesperson Chad Gilmartin, Bove’s visit was intended to support the Department of Homeland Security and its partner agencies. Tom Homan accompanied Bove, along with television personality Dr. Phil, who discussed the initiative in a video posted to X.
“This is a high-risk mission,” Dr. Phil said in the video. “ICE is not conducting random neighborhood sweeps. They’ve identified 270 high-value targets—individuals involved in murder, child trafficking, and other heinous crimes. These are specific, dangerous individuals who pose a threat to our communities.”
Heightened Tensions in Immigrant Communities
The heightened enforcement activity comes as immigrant communities in Chicago express growing concern over large-scale operations previously promised by the Trump administration. Advocacy groups have mobilized efforts to educate residents on their rights in the event of an ICE encounter, while city officials have distributed similar guidance at transit stations across Chicago.
On Saturday, immigrant rights groups filed a lawsuit against ICE and the Trump administration, seeking to block certain deportation raids. Antonio Gutierrez of Organized Communities Against Deportation, one of the plaintiffs, said, “Immigrant communities who have called Chicago home for decades are scared. We refuse to live in fear and will fight to keep families together.”
The lawsuit follows a miscommunication on Friday, when Chicago Public Schools officials mistakenly believed ICE agents had visited an elementary school. The agents were later identified as members of the Secret Service. The initial report, however, fueled anxiety within immigrant communities, particularly after recent federal policy changes allowed immigration agents to conduct operations at schools.
Governor Pritzker Weighs In
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, a vocal critic of the Trump administration, questioned the scope of the ICE operations during an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
“We need to address violent criminals, but we must also protect law-abiding immigrants who are contributing to our communities,” Pritzker said.
Chicago, with its strong sanctuary city protections, remains a focal point in national immigration debates. These policies prohibit city police from cooperating with federal immigration agents, drawing frequent criticism from the Trump administration.
As the situation develops, community leaders and advocates continue to call for transparency and the protection of immigrant rights, underscoring the deep divisions and human impact of these enforcement actions.
