CHICAGO, Ill., A federal appeals court on Thursday blocked the immediate release of hundreds of immigrants detained during the Trump administration’s Chicago-area immigration crackdown, issuing a split decision that also kept in place an agreement governing how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducts warrantless arrests. The ruling comes amid sweeping enforcement operations known as “Operation Midway Blitz,” which have resulted in more than 4,000 arrests since summer.
Last month, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Cummings said the government violated a 2022 consent decree that limits whom ICE can detain during broader operations, ordering the release of more than 600 people on bond. Roughly 450 detainees remain in custody. The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals paused that order, ruling 2-1 that Cummings exceeded his authority by granting a blanket release without evaluating the individuals’ circumstances. However, the court also rejected the Trump administration’s argument that all those arrested were subject to mandatory detention.
Immigrant advocates expressed relief that the consent decree itself was extended through February, noting it requires ICE to provide documentation for each arrest and has served as an important check on warrantless detentions across Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky and Wisconsin. Attorneys said many detainees have been deported without understanding their legal options and urged swift review as litigation continues.
The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to requests for comment.
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