A federal judge has dealt a major blow to the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, ordering the release of more than 600 people arrested across Illinois as part of the contentious “Operation Midway Blitz.”
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Cummings sided with attorneys from the National Immigration Justice Center and the ACLU on Wednesday morning.
The ruling applies to 615 individuals who do not have mandatory detention orders and are not considered a significant threat, requiring them to be granted bond by noon on November 21.
The lawsuit alleged that over 3,000 people were arrested between June and October during the operation.
DHS Blasts “Activist Judge”
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) immediately condemned the ruling. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin issued a fiery statement, claiming the decision is “putting the lives of Americans directly at risk.”
“At every turn, activist judges, sanctuary politicians, and violent rioters have actively tried to prevent our law enforcement officers from arresting and removing the worst of the worst,” McLaughlin said.
“Now an ACTIVIST JUDGE is putting the lives of Americans directly at risk by ordering 615 illegal aliens be released into the community.”
The government has requested a stay on the order until next Friday.
Unlawful Tactics and Controversy
The ruling reinforces claims made by plaintiffs that federal agents violated a 2022 settlement agreement over warrantless arrests in the Chicago area.
Attorney Mark Fleming stated that the tactics used by senior Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have been “unlawful in the vast, vast majority of arrests.”
The controversy has been mounting, with Judge Cummings’ ruling coming shortly after a separate federal judge, Sara Ellis, publicly accused Bovino of lying under oath regarding his use of force against protesters.
Judge Ellis also recently extended restrictions severely limiting federal officers’ use of tear gas and other crowd control tactics.
Teacher Among Those Released
The judge’s decision offers immediate relief to some high-profile detainees, including Diana Galeano, a teacher at Rayito de Sol daycare in Chicago.
Video of her arrest, where ICE officers ran into the daycare and pulled her out, previously sparked widespread local outrage.
“The Court has recognized that Diana and scores of others like her should not be in custody indefinitely,” said her attorney, Charlie Wysong. “This is an an important step on Diana’s path to returning home where she belongs.”
Despite the setback, ICE is expected to continue operations in Chicago, with McLaughlin previously asserting: “We aren’t leaving Chicago.”
