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In a bold move signaling intensified federal immigration efforts, Gregory Bovino, Chief Patrol Agent for U.S. Border Patrol’s El Paso Sector and recent leader of ICE operations in Los Angeles, announced the arrival of “Operation At Large” in Chicago via a social media post on X early Tuesday morning.
“Well Chicago, we’ve arrived!” Bovino’s message proclaimed, accompanied by a video showcasing border patrol agents patrolling streets and driving through urban and suburban areas of the city.
The operation aims to “continue the mission we started in Los Angeles—to make the city safer by targeting and arresting criminal illegal aliens,” according to the post.
This development comes just days after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) unveiled “Operation Midway Blitz,” another major immigration enforcement initiative set to roll out in Chicago.
Last week, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shared a social media image of an ICE vehicle against the iconic Chicago skyline, captioning it: “CHICAGO: a sanctuary city that attracts and protects criminal illegal aliens to the detriment of law-abiding citizens.
In an ICE-led operation, we are here to remove these dangerous public safety threats from American communities.”
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, in her role with Homeland Security, was on the ground in Chicago on Tuesday to oversee ICE activities, as confirmed by DHS.
Authorities have designated key facilities for support, including an ICE center in suburban Broadview and the Great Lakes Naval Base in North Chicago, to handle processing and staging.
These operations could extend up to 60 days, amplifying federal presence in the region.
Recent Incidents Highlight Tensions in Immigration Enforcement
Over the weekend, enforcement actions were spotted in West Chicago, prompting Illinois State Senator Karina Villa to share a video on social media depicting masked agents detaining individuals.
“These masked individuals came upon people with the color of my skin and picked them up,” Villa said.
“One of them was in a van. There was about 13 people, including a minor.
One was at a grocery store, an apartment complex, and someone simply walking on the side of the street.
This is why we have gathered here today to talk about and show the strength of this community, this immigrant, beautiful community.”
The uptick in activity follows a tragic incident last week in Franklin Park, where a man was fatally shot and an ICE agent injured during targeted enforcement.
According to an ICE spokesperson, agents tried to halt a vehicle, but the driver resisted, attempted to ram the team, struck an agent, and dragged him while fleeing.
The agent, fearing for his life, fired his weapon, hitting the driver.
Community Response and Broader Implications
Chicago’s immigrant rights activists report a surge in ICE sightings, heightening anxiety in communities wary of mass arrests and tactics seen in other cities under President Donald Trump.
An emergency hotline for reporting immigration officer encounters has seen calls skyrocket, exceeding 500 on one day—though many include duplicates, errors, or harassment.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a vocal opponent of federal overreach, addressed the escalation on Monday: “ICE has been gathering its agents.
It has taken them longer than I think they anticipated.
I expect that they now have more people on the ground and will effectuate their plans to an even greater degree.”
As “Operation At Large” and “Operation Midway Blitz” unfold, Chicago—a designated sanctuary city—faces heightened scrutiny and debate over immigration policies, public safety, and community impacts.
Residents and advocates continue to monitor developments closely amid ongoing reports of enforcement across Illinois.
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About The Author
Frank Nez 
