(NewsNation) — President Donald Trump reiterated his plan to ramp up Immigrations and Customs Enforcement operations in the Windy City on Monday, telling an audience he’d love forces to go “into Chicago and straighten it out.”
Trump, at a White House Religious Liberty Commission hearing, touted his crackdown in Washington, D.C. and said he would love to do the same in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles, among other cities.
DHS launches ‘Operation Midway Blitz’
As Trump wrapped up his speech, the Department of Homeland Security announced a new operation “in honor of Katie Abraham who was killed in a drunk driving hit-and-run car wreck caused by criminal illegal alien Julio Cucul-Bol in Illinois.”
Abraham, 20, was killed in a hit-and-run crash in Urbana in January, NewsNation local affiliate WGN reported.
ICE operations ‘absolutely’ on table for Chicago this week: Tom Homan
Border czar Tom Homan said Chicago should “absolutely” expect a surge of immigration enforcement operations this week, adding that deploying National Guard troops to protect the operations is “always on the table.”
That same day, NewsNation cameras captured an Immigration and Customs Enforcement van returning to an ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois, where at least six detainees were unloaded.
At least one man was detained in the Archer Heights neighborhood by federal agents in unmarked cars. Community activists say the ICE arrests of at least three people were caught on surveillance camera, including one man well-known in the area.
“He’s been a flower vendor here for quite some time. You see him consistently, especially on the weekends. Very sweet gentleman, never causing problems with anyone. Very respectful,” Chicago resident Celina Morin told NewsNation.
Participants wave flags during the 2025 Pilsen Mexican Independence Day parade Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) 
People march by Chicago Theater during Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights’ “Chicago Says No Trump No Troops” protest Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) 
People march during Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights’ “Chicago Says No Trump No Troops” protest Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) 
People march during Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights’ “Chicago Says No Trump No Troops” protest Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) 
Police walk along as people march during Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights’ “Chicago Says No Trump No Troops” protest Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The arrests coincide with Mexican Independence Day celebrations in the Windy City. About 21% of Chicago’s population is Mexican, according to the Census Bureau.
NewsNation has reached out to ICE for more details about the people detained in Chicago.
Protests erupt in Chicago as Trump renews Guard threat
The arrests came after several thousand protesters gathered in downtown Chicago, vocally opposing the White House’s efforts to expand ICE operations and bring in other federal forces.
Protests also erupted outside the ICE processing center in the northern suburbs of Chicago, where undocumented immigrants can be temporarily detained.
Trump posted on social media Saturday, saying the city was about to “find out why it’s called the Department of War,” adding he loves “the smell of deportations in the morning.”
NewsNation partner The Hill contributed to this report.