Immigration Release: Illinois Judge Orders Freedom for Hundreds Detained in Immigration Sweep
Immigration Release: A federal judge has issued a significant order mandating the release of more than 600 individuals who were arrested in Illinois as part of the Trump administration’s broad immigration crackdown. This ruling, reported by media affiliate WLS, deals a major blow to federal efforts aimed at detaining and deporting as many undocumented people as possible, highlighting ongoing legal battles over Enforcement tactics in “sanctuary” jurisdictions.
Judge Sides with Civil Rights Attorneys
US District Judge Jeffrey Cummings, presiding over the case, sided with attorneys representing the plaintiffs, specifically from the National Immigrant Justice Center and the ACLU. The plaintiffs’ initial allegations claimed that over 3,000 individuals had been arrested between June and October under an operation dubbed “Midway Blitz.”
Deadline for Bond Determinations
The judicial order specifies that 615 of those arrested must be granted bond by noon on November 21. This ruling strictly applies only to those individuals who are not subject to mandatory detention orders and who are not deemed to pose a significant threat to public safety.
Locating Detainees Across the Country
Mark Fleming, an attorney with the National Immigrant Justice Center, acknowledged the complexity of the ruling during a news conference, stating, “They’re all being awarded bond for 615, but how is that process going to happen?” Fleming noted that the individuals set for release “are probably all over the country” and would need to be located, underscoring the logistical challenge faced by the agencies.
The Scope of Operation Midway Blitz
According to a news release issued by the National Immigrant Justice Center, the individuals detailed in the lawsuit were taken into custody by ICE agents within the broader Chicago area between June 11 and October 7. The operation’s wide sweep has drawn scrutiny regarding the legality of the arrests and the conditions of detention.
Violations of Prior Settlement Agreement
Fleming, who spearheaded the lawsuit, alleged that federal agents had actively violated a previous 2022 settlement agreement regarding warrantless arrests in the Chicago area. He estimated that at least 1,100 of the 3,000 arrested individuals have already voluntarily left the country, citing they “gave up” fighting their cases.
DHS Response and Security Concerns
In immediate response to the judge’s ruling, Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin issued a sharply critical statement. McLaughlin asserted that the decision was directly “putting the lives of Americans at risk.”
Criticism of “Activist Judges”
McLaughlin further criticized what she termed “activist judges,” “sanctuary politicians,” and “violent rioters” for actively trying to prevent law enforcement officers from arresting and removing criminals. She concluded, “Now an ACTIVIST JUDGE is putting the lives of Americans directly at risk by ordering 615 illegal aliens to be released into the community.”
Request for an Appeal and Stay
Media outlets have reached out to DHS for comment on whether the agency plans to appeal Judge Cummings’ order. In the meantime, government attorneys have formally requested a stay of the order until next Friday, aiming to temporarily halt the planned mass release.
Allegations of Unlawful Tactics
Fleming was forthright in his assessment of the tactics used in the operation, stating that “All of this, all of the tactics of (senior Border Patrol official Gregory) Bovino, and all of the tactics of (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) have been unlawful in the vast, vast majority of arrests.” This indicates a systemic pattern of alleged violations.
The Face of Federal Surge Operations
Gregory Bovino, 55, had emerged as the on-the-ground face of President Donald Trump’s efforts to surge federal law enforcement personnel into Democratic-led states and cities, often regardless of whether local officials welcomed their presence.
Racial Profiling and Constitutional Rights
The judge’s decision arrives amid continued high tensions concerning issues of racial profiling and constitutional rights for both documented and undocumented individuals. The Trump administration’s extensive mass deportation crackdown has been criticized for targeting people of all ages—from children and families to suspected criminals—by employing tactics like arrests outside courtroom hearings, during traffic stops, and in workplace sweeps.
Outrage Over a Teacher’s Arrest
One of the cases that recently garnered national attention involved the arrest of Diana Galeano, a teacher at Rayito de Sol day care in Chicago. Video footage of her arrest, which showed ICE officers running into the day care’s front doors and forcibly removing her, ignited widespread outrage among parents and local leaders.
Applauding the Ruling
Her attorney, Charlie Wysong, applauded Judge Cummings’ ruling, stating that it would provide much-needed assistance to a substantial number of individuals. Wysong highlighted the burden: “The detention of so many people with no lawful basis and little way to get a bond hearing without filing a lawsuit has been a great burden on so many families.”
Detention Ruled Unlawful in Separate Case
In a separate ruling on the same day, US District Judge Jeremy C. Daniel granted a habeas petition filed by Galeano just the previous week, declaring her specific detention unlawful. This further substantiated the claims regarding the overreach of the federal agents.
Diana Galeano’s Path Home
Wysong provided a statement regarding Judge Daniel’s ruling, emphasizing the importance of the decision: “The Court has recognized that Diana and scores of others like her should not be in custody indefinitely.” He concluded, “This is an an important step on Diana’s path to returning home where she belongs.”
ICE Operations to Continue in Chicago
Despite the legal setbacks, ICE is expected to continue its operations in Chicago. DHS spokesperson McLaughlin had previously told media in a statement, following reports that Bovino was planning to leave the city soon, “We aren’t leaving Chicago.” McLaughlin also cited an alleged drop in street crime since “Operation Midway Blitz” had begun.
Official Bovino Called Out for Lying
News that Bovino might soon leave Chicago came shortly after he was personally called out by US District Court Judge Sara Ellis. Judge Ellis was angered because Bovino initially claimed he had only used tear gas on protesters after being hit in the head with a rock, but later acknowledged that the assault on him occurred after his use of force.
Preliminary Injunction Issued
“Defendant Bovino admitted that he lied,” Judge Ellis stated in a hearing on November 6. On that very same day, she issued a preliminary injunction order that blocked the use of force against both protesters and journalists in the city.