Operation Midway Blitz Yields 223 Immigrant Arrests, 146 Truck Drivers in Indiana

Operation Midway Blitz, a Chicago-centered immigration enforcement initiative, resulted in the arrest of 223 immigrants on Indiana highways near the Illinois border, including 146 commercial truck drivers. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized the focus on roadway safety, highlighting that many arrested drivers had criminal histories such as DUI, drug trafficking, assault, and child abuse. Officials noted that over 40 arrested truck drivers held commercial licenses from sanctuary states like Illinois, California, and New York. The operation is part of a broader effort enabled by the federal 287(g) program, allowing trained state officers to assist ICE, with Indiana recently adopting a task force model to enhance cooperation. The enforcement has drawn criticism from Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, who called for a pause over concerns about crowd control and tactics, but Noem rejected this request, defending the operation's necessity for public safety. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons described the nationwide effort as successful, with over 3,000 noncitizens arrested overall, underscoring the federal commitment to removing criminal aliens from roadways.