Since the Trump administration launched Operation Midway Blitz in September 2025, Chicago and its suburbs have been at the center of the administration’s efforts to detain and deport undocumented immigrants. Masked agents of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol, wearing military uniforms, carrying military weapons, and driving unmarked vehicles, have arrested more than one thousand persons without a warrant.
Despite President Trump’s claim that his mass deportation scheme is aimed at removing the “worst of the worst,” in fact most of the persons arrested by ICE and Border Patrol have no criminal record. Many of them have lived in this country for many years, going to school or work, paying taxes, and living peaceably with their families where they have become part of their community. Numerous videos have shown federal agents using violent methods to arrest these persons – breaking car windows and dragging the driver and passengers out. In one instance, federal agents dragged a young woman out of a day care center where she was employed.
Many of the persons arrested by ICE are sent to its processing facility in Broadview, Illinois. Although the processing facility is not equipped for overnight stays, detainees typically were forced to stay there for several days, converting the facility into a de facto detention center. At times, more than 150 people were kept in 30 x 30 holding cells, with those detained lacking adequate access to hot meals, clean water, showers, legal counsel, and room to sleep.
Fortunately, a few detainees were able to get access to Chicago lawyers who were ready, willing, and able to represent them in the public interest. Attorneys at the MacArthur Justice Center, ACLU of Illinois, and the Eimer Stahl LLP law firm filed a class action lawsuit in Chicago federal court claiming that conditions at the Broadview facility violated the Fifth Amendment and First Amendment rights of detainees. Their motion for a temporary restraining order was heard by U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman. On November 5, Judge Gettleman granted a TRO that requires ICE to provide immigration detainees enough food, water and bed space, among other remedies. He expressly found that conditions at the holding facility in Broadview do not “pass constitutional muster.”
The Trump administration’s cruel treatment of immigrants and detainees has led many Chicago area residents to protest that treatment. There have been regular protests at the ICE facility in Broadview. ICE and Border Patrol agents have, at times, responded violently to peaceful protests. For example, a pastor kneeling in prayer in front of the ICE facility in Broadview was shot in the head with a pepper ball fired by a sniper on the roof of the facility. Many other instances have been recorded of federal agents pointing guns and throwing tear gas canisters, without warning, at peaceful protesters.
Again, public interest organizations and law firms in Chicago stepped up to rein in the Trump administration’s unlawful actions. Protesters, journalists, and members of the clergy filed a class action lawsuit in federal court; they were represented by the Loevy + Loevy law firm, the Bluhm Legal Clinic of Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, the Mandel Legal Aid Clinic of University of Chicago Law School, First Defense Legal Aid, and ACLU of Illinois. The complaint charged that the First Amendment right of plaintiffs “to speak, assemble, petition, gather news, and freely practice their religious beliefs is being chilled due to the well-founded fear that they will be brutalized by federal agents for no reason other than engaging in protected activity on the streets and sidewalks of Broadview.” The complaint also alleged violations of plaintiffs’ Fourth Amendment rights to be free from unreasonable seizures, including arrests without probable cause and with excessive force.
This case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis. After a hearing at which many witnesses described the excessive use of force employed by federal immigration agents, Judge Ellis found that the “use of force shocks the conscience.” On November 6, she issued a preliminary injunction that enjoins federal agents from deploying tear gas or other munitions without first issuing two explicit warnings. The injunction also prohibits striking class members with vehicles and using chokeholds and similar restraints where there is not an immediate threat of death or bodily harm. In addition, the injunction requires agents in the field to wear body cameras and clear identification on their uniforms.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers believes that an important role for lawyers and judges is to defend the rule of law against actions taken by the Trump administration that are unlawful and unconstitutional. Opposing the administration requires courage because the administration has a track record of targeting perceived enemies – which can include “left-wing lawyers” and “activist judges” – for retribution. We applaud the lawyers and judges noted above who have taken strong action in defense of the rule of law. We urge our members, and all attorneys throughout the country, to rise to the occasion and defend the rule of law that is the foundation of our constitutional democracy.
By Carl A. Royal. Mr. Royal, a retired attorney, is co-chair of the Chicago Council of Lawyers Civil Liberties Committee.
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