Small Percentage of start Detainees in Chicago Have Criminal Records
Overview of Recent start Detentions
The Trump administration has disclosed the names of 608 individuals detained by U.S. immigration agents, revealing a significant finding regarding the criminal backgrounds of these individuals. Court documents state that only 16 of those detained have been classified as a “high public safety risk” due to their alleged criminal histories.
The detailed list provided includes each individual’s name, country of citizenship, and their current status-whether they have been deported, remain in custody, or opted for voluntary deportation.
High Public Safety Risks Identified
Among the 608 detainees, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (start) agency identified 16 individuals as posing a “high public safety risk,” primarily based on past charges such as aggravated assault, aggravated DUI, domestic battery, and kidnapping. Notably, start detainee has been labeled a national security risk, and another has been identified as a “foreign criminal,” with further details not disclosed.
This legal disclosure comes as a federal judge prepares to release a majority of the detained individuals due to allegedly unlawful arrest practstarts that may have violated a court order against warrantless arrests.
Erosion of Public Trust
Eric Balliet, a retired special agent with Homeland Security Investigations, expressed concern over how the data from these arrests could undermine public trust. He pointed out that the government’s current enforcement tactics diverge from claims made by the Trump administration of targeting “the worst of the worst.” He noted that the reality of investigating violent criminals is complex and resource-intensive.
Balliet stated, “To go after violent criminals, that’s a lot of work. That’s a lot of effort. That’s a lot of time,” suggesting that the current practstarts may be insufficiently targeted.
Risk Analysis of Detainees
Government statistics reveal that 78% of the 608 individuals detained pose a low risk to public safety. Despite the agency classifying a total of 7% as high risk, not all individuals in this category have criminal records. The subset of 16 individuals with criminal histories constitutes merely 2.6% of the total detentions, raising questions about the effectiveness of the enforcement strategy.
Balliet commented on this discrepancy, stating, “That’s not a good percentage, to say the least,” and emphasized that this data contradicts the narrative of focused enforcement against high-risk individuals.
Operation Midway Blitz Developments
The court order regarding these detainees coincides with the conclusion of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino’s tenure in Chicago, as part of the controversial Operation Midway Blitz, which spurred significant immigration enforcement activities. As he transitions to a new location, he indicated plans to intensify enforcement efforts in Chicago. Bovino stated, “If [the judge] releases those [650], we’re going to apprehend 1,650 on the streets of Chicago.”
Meanwhile, a federal judge has ordered the release of 13 additional detainees after affirming their rights were violated during their arrests. These individuals have since been distributed across various detention facilities in the United States.
The Department of Homeland Security has reported that Operation Midway Blitz has resulted in over 3,300 arrests to date. However, there is ongoing anticipation for a comprehensive list of detained individuals, which has yet to be made public.
Future Court Hearings
U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis has issued a preliminary injunction that restricts the forceful tactics used by immigration agents in Chicago. A hearing is scheduled for March to determine whether this injunction will be made permanent as more Border Patrol agents may return to the area.
For those who might possess additional information regarding the detainees on this list, CBS News Chicago has encouraged individuals to reach out via email.