Is DHS Inflicting ‘Terror’ on Chicago? Group of Retired Journalists Thinks So

Following an immigration enforcement operation, a group of retired Chicago journalists have issued a public letter accusing the Trump administration of inflicting “terror” on the Windy City.  

“We covered this city for a living and love it, and we want you to know that what’s happening here is not normal,” the former journalists write. “It’s eroding all of our rights and should be a warning to other cities that find themselves enveloped in an [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] storm.”  

Referring back to their time as reporters in and around Chicago, the former journalists appeal to the “trust” they earned with the public over their careers, now asking readers to “trust us now when we say that what is happening in the Chicago area is wrong.” 

Nearly 40 retired Chicago journalists signed the letter, including award-winning American television journalist Bill Kurtis, former anchor of “The CBS Morning News” and “CBS Reports,” and Ron Magers, a former newscaster for NBC and later ABC. 

In September, the Department of Homeland Security launched Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago with the aim of arresting criminal illegal aliens who moved to Illinois, which is a “sanctuary state,” meaning local and state law enforcement do not formally cooperate with federal immigration officials.   

Since launching the operation in the Windy City, DHS says it has made hundreds of arrests and claims homicides are down 16%, shootings have fallen by 35%, robberies by 41%, carjackings by 48%, and transit crimes by 20%.   

Despite the Trump administration’s stated focus on the arrest and removal of criminal illegal aliens, the retired reporters argue immigration officials are not limiting arrests to those with a criminal record.  

“Let us be clear: We support the lawful apprehension and deportation of undocumented immigrants with criminal records. The president says he’s after the worst of the worst, but that’s not what’s happening. It’s gone way beyond that,” they write. “People are presumed guilty until proven innocent. It is not law enforcement; it is terror.” 

“This dragnet seems to be based on racism,” the retired journalists continue, “and is snaring citizens of color, documented immigrants and people who have committed no serious crimes—your neighbor, friend, co-worker, babysitter, and landscaper. People whose work ethic and honesty have contributed to the city for years,” they add.  

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin pushed back on the claims, telling The Daily Signal the authors of the letter “are not journalists, but activist hacks smearing our brave DHS law enforcement. Instead of peddling lies about law enforcement, they should be thanking them for making Chicago safe again.”  

“This type of garbage is contributing to our officers facing a 1000% increase in assaults against them and a nearly 8000% increase in death threats,” she said.  

“The facts are,” McLaughlin continued, “70% of ICE arrests are of illegal aliens charged or convicted of a crime in the U.S. Any claims that individuals have been ‘targeted’ by law enforcement because of their skin color are disgusting and categorically FALSE. What makes someone a target of ICE is being in the country illegally–not their race, ethnicity, or skin tone.”  

McLaughlin contends that never in the “history of human civilization” have “lawbreakers” been treated more fairly. “Every single detainee receives due process,” she said.  

News that some immigration officials are leaving Chicago is a “cold comfort given the damage they’ve done and what they may do in other cities,” the former reporters claim in the letter.  

Earlier this week, news broke that Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino and his team are leaving Chicago for Charlotte, North Carolina, before going on to carry out operations in New Orleans.  

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem says Bovino’s departure from Chicago is not an indication of an end to immigration enforcement operations in the city.  

“I’m just so thrilled with the results that we’ve had in Chicago, and we’re going to surge more resources there,” Noem said on “Fox and Friends” Wednesday morning. “We’re not going to just be in Chicago, we’re spreading out to other cities and continuing to do our work.” 

Editor’s Note: This story was updated after publication to include comments from DHS.