Federal Agents Conduct Major Immigration Raid in Chicago South Side

Federal agents, including Border Patrol and FBI, conducted significant immigration raids in Chicago's South Shore and downtown areas, targeting members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua and making multiple arrests, including some U.S. citizens temporarily detained for safety. These operations are part of President Donald Trump's aggressive immigration enforcement strategy, which has led to over 1,500 detentions in the Chicago area recently, with many detainees lacking criminal histories. The raids have sparked distress among residents and heightened tensions between federal authorities and Illinois state leaders. Governor JB Pritzker and Attorney General Kwame Raoul strongly oppose the federal government's militarized approach, particularly the potential deployment of Illinois National Guard troops to support immigration enforcement, threatening legal action if this occurs. While state officials support targeting violent criminals, they criticize the broad and disruptive nature of current raids, emphasizing the negative impact on community safety and trust. The federal presence, including visible shows of force and rapid building clearances, aims to signal ongoing enforcement commitment despite local opposition.