TLT Explains

ICE Launches Operation Midway Blitz To Protect Chicago

By The Liberty Tribune Staff

Published: 9/22/2025 · Updated: 9/22/2025 · 5 min read

ICE began Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago, focusing on improving community safety amid rising concerns over crime.

What's happening

ICE Launches Operation Midway Blitz To Protect Chicago — Families of victims of violent crimes committed by illegal immigrants are voicing their frustrations over the Biden administration's immigration policies. They argue that these policies have contributed to a rise in crime and have left them without justice, prompting a call for accountability and reform. Explainer As A Former DC Cop, The Federal Takeover Was The Right Move Tragic Incidents Highlight Concerns Joe Abraham, whose daughter Katie was killed in a tragic car crash involving an illegal immigrant, expressed his anger and confusion over the legal processes surrounding such cases. Katie Abraham, 20, and her friend Chloe Polzin, 21, were struck by an SUV driven by Julio Cucul-Bol, a Guatemalan national with a criminal history. The crash occurred in January 2024 when Cucul-Bol, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, slammed into their vehicle at nearly 80 miles per hour, resulting in devastating consequences for the victims' families. Abraham stated, "Just because the Biden administration was reckless does that mean the states individually have to become just as reckless? That’s what I don’t understand." He has been advocating for accountability and reform to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future, emphasizing the need for stricter immigration enforcement and better vetting processes. Legal Challenges and Policy Implications Cucul-Bol, who fled the scene but was later apprehended, faces multiple charges, including lying to obtain a green card and possessing a false Social Security card. He is currently serving a 30-year sentence for his role in the crash. Abraham's concerns extend beyond Cucul-Bol's actions; he questions how someone with such a background could obtain a driver's license in Illinois, where a new law allows undocumented immigrants to apply for standard licenses. The New York Times recently reported on the case of Dan Kluver, an American citizen whose identity was stolen by Guatemalan national Romeo Pérez-Bravo.

What's at stake

They Both Paid the Price," details the extensive impact of identity theft on Kluver's life, while also portraying Pérez-Bravo as a victim of circumstance. Kluver, a resident of Minnesota, faced numerous challenges as a result of the identity theft, including tax debts, legal troubles, and emotional distress. Explainer USCIS Reinstates 'Good Moral Character' Requirement for Citizenship Applicants How a stolen identity upended an American's life Kluver's ordeal began when he discovered that someone had been using his Social Security number to accumulate debts and commit crimes, including driving under the influence and even causing a fatal accident. illegally at the age of 16, reportedly used Kluver's identity to build a life in America, which included earning income that pushed Kluver into a higher tax bracket. The Times highlights Kluver's attempts to rectify the situation, noting that he faced bureaucratic obstacles when trying to report the identity theft. Despite his efforts to inform authorities, Kluver's complaints were often lost in a backlog of similar reports, leaving him to deal with the financial and legal repercussions alone. The Trump administration has made strides in reducing illegal border crossings since taking office in January, but many supporters believe that halting new entries is only part of the solution. They argue that effective mass deportations are equally critical, with a proposed target of deporting 1 million illegal immigrants each month. Explainer We Need To Deport 1 Million Illegal Immigrants A Month In late October, the Department of (DHS) reported that over 2 million illegal immigrants had left the U.S., primarily through self-deportation, while DHS forcibly removed 500,000 individuals.

According to DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin, the administration is on track to deport 600,000 by the end of Trump's first year back in office. Notably, nearly 75% of those arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had prior criminal charges or convictions. Despite these numbers, advocates for stricter contend that the current efforts only scratch the surface of the issue. Estimates of the illegal immigrant population in the U.S. vary widely, with some suggesting figures between 10 to 20 million. Critics point out that the federal government lacks a clear understanding of the actual number of illegal immigrants, which may be compounded by individuals who have been erroneously granted legal status. What to watch next is whether new filings, agency actions, votes, or court decisions change the timeline—and how officials respond in the weeks ahead.

Why it matters

The coverage highlights: Families of Victims Call for Accountability Amid Immigration Policy Concerns. The coverage highlights: NYT: Illegal Alien Who Stole An American's Identity Is A Victim Too. The coverage highlights: We Need To Deport 1 Million Illegal Immigrants A Month. The coverage highlights: How Did An Illegal Alien, Wanted On Terrorism, Get A CDL License. The coverage highlights: Trump's 'Complete' Pardons Cover Bogus State Election Charges. The coverage highlights: Red States Need To Require All Police To Help Deport Illegals.

Key facts & context

2025-12-05: Families of Victims Call for Accountability Amid Immigration Policy Concerns. 2025-11-25: NYT: Illegal Alien Who Stole An American's Identity Is A Victim Too. 2025-11-19: We Need To Deport 1 Million Illegal Immigrants A Month. 2025-11-19: How Did An Illegal Alien, Wanted On Terrorism, Get A CDL License. 2025-11-14: Trump's 'Complete' Pardons Cover Bogus State Election Charges. 2025-11-13: Red States Need To Require All Police To Help Deport Illegals. 2025-10-07: Exclusive: Pedophiles, Abusers Among Aliens Arrested By ICE. 2025-10-07: Sen. Durbin Faces Criticism Over Claims of ICE Agents Misconduct. 2025-10-07: Chicago Establishes ICE-Free Zones Amid Rising Tensions with Federal Authorities. 2025-10-06: Illegal Alien Running Des Moines School Had Long Rap Sheet.

Timeline & key developments

Primary sources

Ice Launches Operation Midway Blitz Honor Katie Abraham Target Criminal Illegal — dhs.gov