Two Chicago-area undocumented immigrants accused of ramming ICE vehicles during 'Operation Midway Blitz'

CHICAGO - Federal officials say two undocumented immigrants used their vehicles to try to ram and injure immigration officers during enforcement actions Wednesday in the Chicago suburbs.

What we know:

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the incidents happened during "Operation Midway Blitz," a federal immigration enforcement effort targeting undocumented immigrants with criminal records in the Chicago area.

In Norridge, officials said 20-year-old Miguel Escareno De Loera, of Woodridge and a Mexican national, struck an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicle multiple times before jumping a curb and crashing into a stop sign. He entered the U.S. at an unknown date and location without inspection by an immigration official.

In Bensenville, DHS said 18-year-old Widman Osberto Lopez-Funes, of Bensenville and from Guatemala, drove his vehicle into ICE officers during a targeted operation. He then fled into his residence but was later arrested at the scene. He also entered the U.S. at an unknown date and location without inspection by an immigration official.

Dig deeper:

Late Friday afternoon, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced federal charges against the two men, including a third person.

• De Loera was federally charged with felony assault of a federal officer.
• Lopez-Funes was federally charged with felony assault of a federal officer and depredation of U.S. property.
• Additionally, federal prosecutors charged Joel Gonzalez, 23, of Chicago, with forcibly impeding and interfering with a federal officer, a misdemeanor. Authorities say Gonzalez rear-ended a vehicle driven by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents in Chicago on Oct. 2.

What's next:

All three men have made their first court appearances.

DHS said De Loera and Lopez-Funes remain in custody and are facing removal proceedings.

What they're saying:

In a statement, DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin said the attacks highlight the risks immigration officers face.

"Thankfully none of our law enforcement was killed because of these deranged criminals' attacks on law enforcement. This is exactly what happens when Governor Pritzker, Mayor Johnson, and other sanctuary politicians demonize ICE and encourage illegal aliens to resist law enforcement," McLaughlin said. "Our ICE law enforcement is facing a more than 1000% increase in assaults—including cars—being used as weapons against them. Secretary Noem has been clear: anyone who assaults law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."