A year after Midway Blitz, community members reflect on efforts to protect each other from ICE aggression

Operation Midway Blitz was announced on Sept. 8, 2025. Heavily-armed, masked agents roved through residential Chicago neighborhoods, detaining and taking people indiscriminately from corners, schools, laundromats and more. The agents often escalated situations by using tear gas on residents who were gathered to document ICE activity. During the operation, Chicagoans showed their support to each other by blowing whistles to alert neighbors when ICE agents were present, sharing and investigating tips about agents’ activity, and documenting detentions while helping family members get information and resources. In the Loop sits down with rapid responders to hear what’s changed since Midway Blitz, and what immigration enforcement looks like now.GUESTS: Cristóbal Cavazos, executive director, Casa DuPage Workers Center Antonio Gutierrez, strategic coordinator, Organized Communities Against Deportations