Federal agents have arrested roughly 3,000 people in Chicago since June. But who exactly are these agents?
Though “ICE” has become something of a colloquial catch-all during “Operation Midway Blitz,” Customs and Border Protection agents have carried out more arrests than their famous federal counterpart.
And don’t forget there are still hundreds of National Guard troops waiting around near Joliet …
Let’s break down all the feds floating around the area.
What’s the Difference Between ICE and CBP?
ICE and CBP are both part of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE can enforce laws along the border and in the interior United States, while CBP is meant to focus on operations near the U.S. border.
The exact number of ICE agents in Chicagoland is not available. According to internal DHS documents, ICE agents have carried out over 1,400 arrests since the launch of “Midway Blitz,” just shy of the roughly 1,500 people CBP has arrested as of Oct. 30.
Arrests are also climbing fast. In mid-October, ICE's arrest tally was 1,000 and CBP’s was 800. That means CBP arrests nearly doubled in two weeks.
Wait, Why Is CBP in Illinois?
You don’t have to be a geography whiz to know that Chicago is not near any U.S. border. But according to some, it falls within the "100-mile zone," an area established by a 1957 statute wherein CBP can conduct warrantless searches.
Whether or not Chicago is in the 100-mile zone is not so clear, though. The city’s placement along the water makes it appear inside some maps of the area, but Lake Michigan is the only Great Lake fully inside the United States.
Notably, Chicago does not appear in Congress’ map of the zone. Both ACLU Illinois and the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights have disputed Chicago's alleged inclusion.
What’s Up With the National Guard?
For now, 200 National Guard troops remain at the Army Reserve Center in Elwood. They are blocked from deploying in Chicagoland indefinitely, following the extension of federal Judge April Perry’s temporary restraining order. The Supreme Court is expected to take up the case.
Housing the troops cost taxpayers nearly $3.5 million during the first month.
So Who Is Throwing Tear Gas?
ICE and CBP have been wielding riot weapons against the public. In Little Village, Border Patrol Cmdr. Greg Bovino threw a tear gas canister into a crowd he claimed included rioters.
That said, it may be hard to tell because agents have continually failed to wear visible identification despite a court order.
Plus, local cops are also doing crowd control. In Broadview, Illinois State Police have been accused of attacking protesters.
