Federal agents, armed with heavy weaponry and dressed in camouflage, patrolled the streets of downtown Chicago on Sunday, triggering protests and heated criticism amid the Trump administration’s bold immigration crackdown, as The Hill reports.

This extensive operation, involving hundreds of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and Border Patrol agents, led to several arrests and heightened friction across the city, prompting strong objections from local leaders and growing unease among immigrant communities.

The federal initiative in Chicago commenced earlier this month as part of a campaign named “Midway Blitz,” which began on Sept. 8, according to information provided by ICE and reported by NewsNation.

Clashes erupt at protest site

On Saturday, tensions boiled over when the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) disclosed the arrest of 11 individuals during a large-scale protest outside an ICE detention center located in Broadview, Illinois.

During that same confrontation, DHS authorities also reported confiscating two firearms and initiating an inquiry into what they believed could be an explosive device discovered near the facility grounds.

By the following morning, the operation shifted to central Chicago, where the Chicago Sun-Times noted multiple arrests occurring in neighborhoods such as River North on Sunday.

Armed presence stirs public concern

Border Patrol agents, observed wearing masks and carrying substantial arms, were seen traversing downtown areas, presenting a stark and troubling sight to many onlookers, as detailed in reports by NewsNation.

This conspicuous show of federal strength has generated distress among immigrant populations, who fear sudden enforcement actions and disruptions to their everyday lives in the city.

The broader context of this effort ties into the Trump administration’s intensified focus on immigration control, targeting major urban centers across the nation, which has only amplified local anxieties about safety and rights.

Local authorities condemn federal moves

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker delivered a pointed critique of the federal approach, branding it as “a show of intimidation” that is “instilling fear in our communities and hurting our businesses” throughout the state.

He also issued a call to vigilance, saying, “We cannot normalize militarizing American cities and suburbs. Make sure you know your rights and stay alert.”

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson joined in the disapproval, highlighting his belief that residents “are being intimidated and threatened by masked federal agents flaunting automatic weapons for no apparent reason” in public spaces.

Views diverge on federal deployment

On the other side, Border Patrol commander-at-large Gregory Bovino claimed significant support for the mission, claiming to NewsNation, “I would say the majority are actually glad we’re here. They are congratulating us, saying, ‘It’s about time you’re here.’”

He added further, “Especially those inner-city residents here in Chicago are very glad we’re here, because oftentimes they’re up against that vast illegal migration that took place over the past four years. They’re the ones dealing with the violence perpetrated by illegal aliens.”

Nevertheless, Johnson pushed back against this perspective, describing the federal actions as “another brazen provocation from the Trump administration that does nothing to make our city safer,” revealing a stark contrast between local sentiments and federal justifications for the ongoing operation in Chicago’s urban core.