DHS responds to report that 'Operation Midway Blitz' agents are leaving Chicago

Gov. Pritzker reacts to reports that Bovino, Border Patrol is set to leave Chicago

Local elected officials were guarded amid reports that Operation Midway Blitz was set to wind down in Chicago.

CHICAGO - The Department of Homeland Security is denying a report that federal agents deployed to Chicago under "Operation Midway Blitz" are preparing to leave the city.

What we know:

On Monday, a Chicago Tribune report suggested Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino and his team would soon be reassigned. However, a DHS spokesperson on Tuesday pushed back, saying, "We aren't leaving Chicago."

The agency said since Operation Midway Blitz began, homicides in Chicago have dropped 16%, shootings are down 35%, robberies down 41%, carjackings down 48%, and transit crime is down 20%. For context, violent crime in Chicago had already been on a significant decline, in line with declines in violent crime across the country so far this year.

Chicago community activist on federal immigration agents: "Shame on them for using our pain"

Baltazar Enriquez from the Little Village Community Council denounces Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino and federal immigration agents' actions in Chicago.

The denial came as Bovino prepared to visit the Little Village neighborhood on Tuesday, where community groups are planning a 9:15 a.m. demonstration at the neighborhood’s iconic arch. 

Gov. JB Pritzker also attended a Veterans Day event in Little Village on Tuesday and was asked about the report.

"All I can say is that whether it was the loss in the elections a week ago that’s led to Donald Trump deciding to pull CBP out, or the fact that Greg Bovino is a snowflake on a day that you can see some snowflakes," Pritzker said in part. "Whatever it is, the people of Chicago have deserved better than having CBP and Greg Bovino in this city. I would not say that we’re going to be free of these terrorized neighborhoods, because ICE and CBP probably will still be here, though they will have fewer people."

The backstory:

Tensions between city and federal officials flared again this week after a photo circulated online showing Border Patrol agents posing in front of Chicago’s Cloud Gate sculpture, better known as "The Bean."

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Border Patrol agents turn Chicago's 'Bean' into photo op amid immigration tensions: report

Chicago's Cloud Gate, also known as "The Bean," reportedly became a backdrop for Border Patrol agents Monday morning.

According to Block Club Chicago, some agents shouted "Little Village" instead of "cheese" while taking the picture, an apparent reference to the Southwest Side neighborhood where federal agents clashed with protesters over the weekend.

Gov. JB Pritzker sharply criticized the image, calling it "disgusting" and accusing federal officers of "producing reality TV moments" instead of keeping residents safe.

"As children are tear gassed and U.S. citizens detained, they are posing for photo ops," Pritzker said.

Pritzker, Bovino trade jabs on X; both will be in Little Village today

Gov. JB Pritzker and Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino will both be in Little Village on Tuesday for separate activities after trading criticisms on social media.

Bovino fired back on X, accusing Pritzker of lying and defending the operation as an effort to root out gangs like the Latin Kings "that you've allowed to fester with no action for years." He ended his post with, "Feel free to join us in Little Village."

‘CALL IN THE TROOPS, FAST’

Big picture view:

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump late Monday night weighed in on Truth Social, calling Chicago’s crime out of control and urging troops be called in "BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!"

He also called the Magnificent Mile the "Miracle Mile" and said the "28% vacancy factor" along the iconic strip is due to "murder and crime."