Judge Weighs Release Of Hundreds After ICE’s Chicago ‘Midway Blitz’; Advocates Say 3,300 Warrantless Arrests Violated Consent Decree

A Chicago judge is set to consider releasing hundreds of people arrested in recent immigration operations after NIJC and ACLU alleged widespread unlawful arrests. The groups cite more than 3,300 detentions without warrants or probable cause from June through October, including roughly 1,300 during Operation Midway Blitz starting Sept. 8. Advocates say the arrests violated the 2022 Castañon Nava consent decree that restricts warrantless arrests. The court could shift hundreds to electronic monitoring or supervised release; a hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m.