Chicago ICE Raids Expose Liberal Sanctuary System Protecting Criminal Illegal Aliens [WATCH]

Before dawn on Thursday, teams of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers fanned out across the city, executing “targeted enforcement” operations aimed at arresting criminal illegal aliens.

Despite their efforts, the sanctuary city status of Chicago—where local law enforcement is prohibited from cooperating with ICE—made their task significantly more difficult.

According to ICE officers, their mission is focused on arresting the “worst of the worst”, criminals charged with serious offenses including assault, weapons violations, and sex crimes.

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However, local activists, state legislators, and even school officials have been coaching illegal aliens on how to evade ICE arrests, making enforcement efforts even more challenging.

On Thursday, 10 ICE teams, each consisting of about 10 agents, carried out operations across Chicago. After five hours in the field, they made only two arrests.

One of those arrested was 24-year-old Diego Antonio Montero, a Venezuelan national who crossed into the United States illegally in May 2023.

Chicago police had already arrested Montero for criminal trespass, battery, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. An arrest warrant was issued for him on April 22, 2024, but it was not honored under the city’s sanctuary policies.

Despite his criminal record, Montero remained calm and confident as ICE officers took him into custody.

Speaking in Spanish, he told agents, “I am not a criminal,” and expressed confidence that a judge would set him free.

Montero had also been flagged by Homeland Security after failing to appear for an immigration hearing in 2024, resulting in a judge ordering his removal from the U.S.

The challenges for ICE agents were evident throughout the morning. In the Humboldt neighborhood, officers attempted to locate multiple targets but were met with resistance.

At two different locations, residents refused to open their doors despite repeated knocks by ICE agents.

In one case, three individuals stared down at the agents from an upstairs window, but they did not engage or allow officers inside. After 10 minutes, ICE moved on to the next location.

“Sometimes it’s a very uphill battle,” said ICE officer Sam Olson, a 25-year veteran of the agency.

“We have their information because they were previously arrested and booked in and fingerprinted somewhere, therefore we know they are here. But it’s not as if we are getting notification if these criminal aliens are arrested. Nobody local will tell us that.”

Groups including Catholic Charities, La Voz Latina, and school administrators have been conducting workshops and distributing materials advising illegal aliens on how to avoid ICE arrests.

Catholic Charities shocking video instructing Illegals on how to avoid ICE.

You tax dollars fund this sh*t. They receive millions in Government grants. pic.twitter.com/LtG0OLGYwr

— Juanita Broaddrick (@atensnut) January 27, 2025

One widely distributed card instructs individuals to invoke their Fifth Amendment rights, stating:

“I do not wish to speak with you, answer your questions, or sign or hand you any documents based on my Fifth Amendment rights under the United States Constitution.”

The City of Chicago’s “Welcoming Letter” further reinforces these efforts, declaring:

“We have a responsibility to provide access to shelter, food, and medical care to everyone, regardless of immigration status.”

Additionally, Chicago police officers are prohibited from questioning, arresting, or prosecuting individuals solely based on their immigration status.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly vowed mass deportations, and his administration has expanded ICE operations, deploying agents from the Department of Justice (DOJ), FBI, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to assist in enforcement efforts.

Tom Homan, the newly appointed Border Czar and former head of ICE, acknowledged the difficulties posed by sanctuary city policies but promised continued efforts.

“Sanctuary cities like Chicago are making it very difficult,” Homan told The Post on Friday. “I call everything they’re doing ‘How to Escape ICE.’ But we’re fighting back.

“We have some plans in the pipeline that are going to increase our chances of making it easier for ICE to make more arrests. As it is, having all these teams out and with help from the ATF and other agencies is like a force multiplier. Our guys are doing a great job and we aren’t going away.”

Raise your hand ✋️ if you appreciate what Tom Homan & ICE are doing in blue cities

Almost 1K arrests yesterday in Chicago

Law and Order is so back pic.twitter.com/k36NDzciib

— @Chicago1Ray (@Chicago1Ray) January 27, 2025

Despite facing legal and logistical obstacles, ICE agents insist that their primary focus is targeting dangerous individuals.

“Our mission is targeting the worst of the worst,” said Olson, pushing back against critics who portray ICE as targeting families.

“We’re people from the community ourselves,” Olson said. “We want the community to be safer for everyone, including our families — and we are only upholding the Constitution and enforcing the laws Congress has mandated while putting our lives on the line daily.”

The challenge, Olson noted, is that ICE requires significant resources to track down criminal illegal aliens who often go into hiding with the help of activist groups and local sanctuary policies.

“We have very smart officers doing constant and incredible research before we can even get to the point of going out to find people,” Olson explained. “The amount of hours that go into just one case are unbelievable.”

At the end of the five-hour operation, ICE agents had one successful arrest but were forced to release two other detainees due to pending asylum applications that protected them from removal.

As ICE operations continue under Trump’s administration, agents say they will keep working despite resistance from local officials and activists.

“We’re doing what we are mandated to do and we are confident we’re going to make more and more progress,” Olson said.

“I hope people realize someday that this is all about upholding the law and making the country safer—but our job will continue no matter what misconceptions people have about us.”

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