ICE Raids in Chicago: Poles with Clean Records Targeted by Immigration Authorities

The actions of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Chicago and other American metropolises have reached an unprecedented scale. Last autumn, the "Midnight Blitz" operation was initiated, leading to the detention of over 1,600 people. Although the official target of the authorities are criminals, the reality on the ground suggests otherwise. Lawyers representing the Polish community, including attorney Ewa Brożek from the Kurczaba & Brozek Law firm, are warning that those falling into the hands of officers are mainly individuals with clean records. The authorities are using aggressive methods, including night raids with Black Hawk helicopters and rope descents, evoking associations with special forces operations. Polish enclaves in Chicago, such as Jackowo or Belmont-Cragin, have for decades been centers of cultural and economic life for emigrants, many of whom arrived in the USA in the 1980s and 1990s in search of stability. The effects of these actions are visible in the statistics of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which has recorded a twofold increase in the number of Poles returning to the country since October 2025. An atmosphere of fear is paralyzing daily life: people avoid going to work, and parents are preparing power of attorney for child custody in case of sudden arrest. „We work until night because we have so many phone calls and so many clients who are worried about what is happening.” — Ewa Brożek The brutality of the Donald Trump administration's policy has led to mass protests across the United States. The situation has become so tense that the White House decided to withdraw agents from Minnesota after a tragic incident in which two people were shot. 1600+ — people arrested during the Midnight Blitz operation in Chicago alone Experts emphasize that the current ICE operational model completely ignores the previous lack of legal conflicts among individuals residing in the USA without regulated status. For many families, this means having to abandon their life's work. Polish diplomacy is monitoring the situation, but possibilities for intervention in U.S. internal immigration procedures are limited. Arrested in Chicago: 1600, Increase in departures to Poland: 2, Shot in Minnesota: 2Highlights human rights violations, brutality of authorities, and tragedies of separated families without criminal records. | Emphasizes the necessity of enforcing immigration law and restoring control over borders and public safety.