Chicago City Wire

Steve Cortes, president of the League of American Workers (LAW), said Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) and Mayor Brandon Johnson (D-Chicago) are “undermining” the work of federal law enforcement officers trying to deport criminal illegal aliens.

“‘Why do Pritzker and Johnson want rapists, murderers, and pedophiles free on the streets of Illinois?” Cortes told Chicago City Wire. “The recent Operation Midway Blitz arrested more than 800 of these criminals, many of whom included thugs who have committed heinous crimes against women and children.”

“But instead of welcoming this protection of their citizens, Pritzker and Johnson undermine the work of these law enforcement officers,” said Cortes. “And we have even learned that Chicago Police were told to stand down when federal officers came under attack, which should worry every citizen of Illinois.”

Cortes is a former Trump campaign adviser and founded LAW in 2024. He has previously worked in finance and as a political and economic analyst on networks such as CNBC, CNN, and Fox News. His focus through LAW is on advancing populist, pro-worker policies through research and advocacy.

His comments are in response to a joint statement issued earlier today by the National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and the Illinois State FOP issued a condemning the Chicago Police Department for reportedly ordering officers not to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who were under threat during an incident in the city.

ICE agents came under attack after being surrounded by a group of protesters, and nearby Chicago officers were instructed not to intervene. The FOP called the order “shocking,” saying it violated the core law enforcement principle of mutual aid among officers.

Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police, said he was “shocked and appalled” by the reports. 

“Let me be clear, both the National FOP and the Illinois FOP believe that when an officer calls for assistance, you answer, no matter what,” Yoes said.

Illinois FOP President Chris Southwood said the directive endangered lives and contradicted the values of policing. 

“What would have happened if the local police were facing threats and nearby federal officers were told not to assist?” Southwood asked. “Whether you agree about immigration enforcement or not, when a law enforcement officer is in trouble, nothing should stand in the way of fellow officers rendering assistance,” he said.

Yoes added that “now more than ever, police officers need to band together in order to protect our brothers and sisters who wear the badge,” calling on Chicago leadership to ensure that no similar incident occurs in the future.

Chicago has also maintained a “sanctuary city” policy restricting collaboration with ICE agents, said the FOP statement.

The FOP release cited U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) data showing a “1,000 percent increase in violence” against ICE agents since the start of 2025. The organization said the statistic underscores the growing danger faced by immigration officers on the ground. The organization said it will continue to seek answers from city officials and reaffirmed that “no law or policy should prevent officers from protecting one another,” according to the organization.

Earlier this week, DHS announced that “Operation Midway Blitz,” an initiative led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Border Patrol that began Sept. 8, has resulted in more than 800 arrests across Illinois, focusing on what DHS described as the “worst of the worst” offenders.

Operation Midway Blitz was launched in honor of Katie Abraham, a 20-year-old Illinois woman killed in a drunk-driving hit-and-run caused by criminal illegal alien Julio Cucul-Bol. Abraham and her friend, Chloe Polzin, died in Urbana after Cucul-Bol struck their vehicle and fled. He was later arrested near Dallas while attempting to flee to Mexico and charged with multiple crimes including aggravated DUI causing death, reckless homicide, and identity fraud, reported ABC7 Chicago. DHS officials said Abraham’s death was a reminder of the risks posed by sanctuary policies and designated the operation in her memory, according to DHS.

The Fraternal Order of Police is the largest organization representing law enforcement officers in the United States, with more than 374,000 members across over 2,100 local lodges. The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police represents approximately 34,000 sworn and retired officers statewide, advocating for officer safety, legal protections, and collective bargaining rights.