House Democrats Hold Shadow Hearing on Trump's Chicago Immigration Crackdown

Democratic lawmakers held a "shadow hearing" in Chicago to highlight the impact of aggressive immigration enforcement tactics under President Trump, particularly focusing on "Operation Midway Blitz." The hearing featured emotional testimonies from community members, including a 19-year-old woman named Genesis who is now responsible for her younger disabled sister after her mother was detained by ICE. Lawmakers and witnesses criticized federal agents for conducting raids in neighborhoods, near churches, clinics, and homes, which has caused fear and disruption in immigrant communities. Pastor David Black, who was shot with a pepper ball while praying at an ICE facility, spoke about ongoing excessive use of force despite a court order limiting chemical agents. The hearing aimed to demand accountability and an end to what representatives described as lawless federal immigration enforcement in Chicago. Local officials, including Mayor Brandon Johnson, expressed support for raising awareness about these enforcement actions.