A federal court in Chicago has ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement to begin releasing hundreds of people swept up in last month’s "Operation Midway Blitz" workplace raids, saying agents violated a 2022 consent decree that bars warrantless arrests.
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Cummings on 13 November gave the Justice Department until 19 November to identify which of the 615 potential class members remain in custody. Those without prior removal orders or criminal records must be offered $1,500 bond; 13 detainees were freed immediately. The ruling also forbids ICE and CBP from pressuring detainees to sign voluntary-departure forms while litigation is pending.
![Judge Orders Release of Hundreds Held After Chicago Immigration Raids]()
The American Civil Liberties Union and National Immigrant Justice Center, which brought the suit, say ICE used excessive force and skipped judicial warrants during coordinated raids on logistics hubs near O’Hare International Airport—facilities that employ large numbers of temporary agency staff used by Fortune 500 retailers.
For employers, the decision underscores the importance of I-9 compliance and contractor screening: the court hinted companies could be subpoenaed to verify whether agents exceeded the scope of civil work-site inspection authority. Mobility managers should prepare for renewed audit activity once raids resume and advise assignees—especially those on work permits with pending extensions—of their rights during enforcement actions.
The next status hearing is set for 21 November; ICE lawyers have signaled they may appeal, citing "public-safety concerns" for a subset of detainees.
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Cummings on 13 November gave the Justice Department until 19 November to identify which of the 615 potential class members remain in custody. Those without prior removal orders or criminal records must be offered $1,500 bond; 13 detainees were freed immediately. The ruling also forbids ICE and CBP from pressuring detainees to sign voluntary-departure forms while litigation is pending.
The American Civil Liberties Union and National Immigrant Justice Center, which brought the suit, say ICE used excessive force and skipped judicial warrants during coordinated raids on logistics hubs near O’Hare International Airport—facilities that employ large numbers of temporary agency staff used by Fortune 500 retailers.
For employers, the decision underscores the importance of I-9 compliance and contractor screening: the court hinted companies could be subpoenaed to verify whether agents exceeded the scope of civil work-site inspection authority. Mobility managers should prepare for renewed audit activity once raids resume and advise assignees—especially those on work permits with pending extensions—of their rights during enforcement actions.
The next status hearing is set for 21 November; ICE lawyers have signaled they may appeal, citing "public-safety concerns" for a subset of detainees.
