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THE LIBERTY TRIBUNE

ICE Launches Operation Midway Blitz To Protect Chicago

Updated: 9/22/2025

ICEOperation Midway BlitzChicagoillegal immigrationcrimesanctuary policies

What it is

A lot of things about Jan. 19, 2025 haunt Joe Abraham’s dreams. But one fact in particular about the way in which his 20-year-old daughter, Katie, was senselessly killed that day in a hit-and-run crash keeps him up at night.

Why it matters

  • Pritzker expressed concerns that the operation was not a genuine effort to combat crime but rather a tactic to instill fear among residents
  • Polls indicate that Mayor Johnson's approval ratings have plummeted, with nearly 80 percent of Chicagoans expressing unfavorable opinions about his leadership, primarily due to the city's rising crime rates
  • Luis Mendoza-Gonzalez, a 52-year-old illegal alien from Mexico, was charged with serious crimes but was released back into the community, raising concerns among victims’ families about public safety
  • Joe Abraham expressed frustration over the lack of communication from state officials regarding the impact of sanctuary policies on crime
  • He hopes that Operation Midway Blitz will lead to meaningful changes in how Illinois addresses public safety and illegal immigration
  • Abraham believes his daughter would support efforts to prevent further senseless deaths, stating, “She was such a gentle-natured soul

Key facts

  • 19, 2025 haunt Joe Abraham’s dreams
  • But one fact in particular about the way in which his 20-year-old daughter, Katie, was senselessly killed that day in a hit-and-run crash keeps him up at night

Timeline & recent coverage

  • See related posts on our site; this explainer updates when new reporting appears
  • For deeper background, explore the sources below

Primary sources

Further reading & references

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