Black Hawks Over Chicago: Federal Agents Rappel Into South Shore in Massive ICE Raid

Over 300 federal agents swarmed a Chicago apartment complex in a targeted immigration raid (Image: Getty)

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	According to an anonymous Border Patrol source, the raid involved 300 agents across various agencies, with snipers rappelling from helicopters on top of the apartment complex as a precaution against potential violence. Getty Photo
	Black Hawks Over Chicago: Federal Agents Rappel Into South Shore in Massive ICE Raid Tanya Sommerfield - Immigration/Law Tell Us USA News Network CHICAGO - In the early morning hours of September 30, federal agents conducted a large-scale immigration enforcement operation in Chicago's South Shore neighborhood, with ICE agents rappelling from Black Hawk helicopters onto apartment building rooftops. The operation, part of what the Department of Homeland Security has called "Operation Midway Blitz," has left residents traumatized and sparked intense debate over federal immigration enforcement tactics. The Raid The Department of Homeland Security said federal agents with Border Patrol, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives arrested 37 people in the raid. DHS officials stated the South Shore area was "a location known to be frequented by Tren de Aragua members," referring to a Venezuelan gang. According to an anonymous Border Patrol source, the raid involved 300 agents across various agencies, with snipers rappelling from helicopters on top of the apartment complex as a precaution against potential violence. Impact on Residents and Families The raid has had devastating effects on residents. Federal agents detained four children who are United States citizens during the ICE raid in South Shore. Adults and children alike were pulled from their Chicago apartments, crying and screaming, during the large overnight operation. Residents have described returning to find their homes in disarray. One woman, Pertissue Fisher, told ABC 7: "It was scary because I've never had a gun in my face." Broader Operation Federal agents claim as many as 900 people have been detained in recent weeks in the Chicago area, though they have shared few details on the arrests, making it difficult to independently verify. The Department of Homeland Security described those arrested as "the worst of the worst," including "pedophiles, rapists, and other violent thugs." Military Deployment Request The Department of Homeland Security has asked the Defense Department to send "military troops" to Illinois to protect ICE agents during Operation Midway Blitz, with Governor Pritzker stating the request was for approximately 100 troops. Ongoing Tensions The aggressive enforcement tactics have led to continued confrontations between federal agents, protesters, and community members throughout the Chicago area, with additional detention operations reported in multiple neighborhoods including Back of the Yards and Humboldt Park in recent days.