Chicago City Wire

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has accused Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker of shielding criminal noncitizens and domestic extremists, as well as misrepresenting details about federal law enforcement activities in the state.

According to DHS, Pritzker described the federal presence as an "unconstitutional invasion." However, federal law explicitly authorizes DHS officers to protect federal property and, when necessary, operate outside that property to ensure its security. This authority is derived from 40 U.S.C. § 1315, a statute enacted by Congress and frequently referenced by courts and watchdogs when evaluating DHS deployments. With Texas National Guard troops and DHS personnel currently operating around Chicago amid ongoing litigation, labeling the entire effort as "unconstitutional" overlooks this statutory framework.

The DHS also reported that Pritzker claims officers are "raiding neighborhoods" and "just picking up people who are brown and black." However, the department says Operation Midway Blitz in Illinois has focused on arresting individuals unlawfully present in the country. The operation has resulted in more than 800 arrests initially reported, later updated to over 1,000 arrests, including suspects accused of serious crimes. Public updates from DHS and local media covering the operation support these figures and affirm that targets are identified based on immigration status and criminality rather than race. Allegations of racial profiling remain claims; DHS’s said policy and press materials deny such practices.

The Department of Homeland Security is a U.S. cabinet department established in 2002 following the September 11 attacks. It consolidated 22 agencies under its umbrella with headquarters at the St. Elizabeths campus in Washington, D.C. The mission of DHS encompasses counterterrorism efforts, immigration and customs enforcement, cybersecurity initiatives, transportation and maritime security measures, as well as disaster response operations.