CHICAGO (WLS) — Federal immigration officers were visible throughout Chicago on Thursday as part of the ongoing “Operation Midway Blitz.”
Eyewitnesses reported that approximately 30 officers descended upon a flea market, apprehending several individuals who attempted to flee, leaving behind a sense of fear and confusion among the remaining vendors.
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Authorities detained multiple people at the Swap-O-Rama flea market situated near 41st Street and South Ashland Avenue in the Back of the Yards area.
“Anyone who tried to escape was caught,” stated Noe Ochoa, a vendor at Swap-O-Rama. “I noticed one woman looking half-fainted, seemingly in shock, as if questioning, ‘Why me?’”
Alderwoman Julia Ramirez, representing the 12th Ward, confirmed that several vendors were among those detained.
The Thursday morning operation took place close to a confrontation between federal agents and protesters near a BP gas station at the intersection of West 47th Street and South Western Avenue.
Video showed multiple immigration officers wrestling a man to ground. One person appeared to be detained. The crowd then grew as federal vehicles drove off.
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“A couple U.S. citizens were detained on that corner,” Ald. Ramirez said. “I’m still gathering more information on that, but we’re seeing an escalation of force.”
Some of those same demonstrators later returned to the Back of the Yards flea market in protest.
“Terrorizing our people! We want our communities to be safe,” anti-ICE demonstrator Elizabeth Aramas said.
Uncertainty loomed over the families who depend on the flea market for survival.
“This just scares people away,” Ochoa said. “We’re not making any business.”
ABC7 Chicago reached out to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Border Patrol for comment but have not heard back.
Alderwoman Ramirez says about 15 people were detained at the Swap-O-Rama.
Also on Thursday, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle signed an executive order banning the use of county property for immigration enforcement. The order says ICE cannot stage, debrief or use county property for any immigration operation.
“Cook County is proud to be a welcoming County, committed to protecting the safety, dignity, and human rights of all residents,” Preckwinkle said in a statement. “It is critical that the government’s interactions with the public adhere to our nation’s laws and values. Yet, ICE’s increasingly aggressive, inhumane and unlawful actions continue undermining the safety and stability of our communities. We will do everything we can to ensure all residents receive fair treatment and our communities are safe from harassment and intimidation.”
