...
...
Next Story

ICE starts Chicago immigration crackdown to honour Katie Abraham: Who was she?

Homeland Security said that Operation Midway Blitz will target undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes in Chicago and Illinois.

Published on: Sep 9, 2025, 04:01:18 IST
Advertisement

Homeland Security announced Operation Midway Blitz in honour of Katie Abraham, who was killed in a drunk driving hit-and-run car wreck caused by an undocumented immigrant. Reportedly, the operation will target undocumented immigrants in Chicago and Illinois who have committed a crime.

Homeland Security shared about Operation Midway Blitz on its official X profile. (X/@DHSgov)
Homeland Security shared about Operation Midway Blitz on its official X profile. (X/@DHSgov)

“DHS is launching Operation Midway Blitz in honor of Katie Abraham who was killed in a drunk driving hit-and-run car wreck caused by criminal illegal alien Julio Cucul-Bol in Illinois,” the agency wrote.

Who was Katie Abraham?

Katie Abraham, a 20-year-old from Illinois, was killed in a drunk driving hit-and-run car wreck allegedly caused by a Guatemalan national, Julio Cucul-Bol. The incident which occurred on January 19, 2025, also claimed the life of Abraham’s friend Chloe Polzin.

Also Read: LG executives detained during ICE raid on Hyundai-LG plant, were on business trip to US: report

Homeland Security shared a video of Abraham’s parents on X talking about their daughter and addressing her death.

How did social media react?

Operation Midway Blitz has prompted mixed reactions on social media. While some supported it, others called it "heinous."

An individual posted, “Godspeed, warriors.” Another added, “You are heinous - taking advantage of this tragedy to justify your illegal occupation of an American city without cause. Just heinous. Oh, and fascist. Oh, and racist. Oh, and autocratic.”

Also Read: ICE video gives raw look at deportation flight from Indiana: 'Up close, personal'

A third commented, “Lock it down. Chicago and other cities put all of us at risk. That infringes on our rights as citizens. Need to make an example of that city and their failed leadership that prefers that criminals prey on innocents. Demonic.” A fourth wrote, “That’s quite a distraction from the Epstein Files, isn’t it?”

Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin on the operation:

"DHS is launching Operation Midway Blitz in honor of Katie Abraham who was killed in Illinois by a criminal illegal alien who should have never been in our country. This operation will target the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens in Chicago,” said McLaughlin in a statement.

Taking a dig at Governor Pritzker, McLaughlin continued, “For years, Governor Pritzker and his fellow sanctuary politicians released Tren de Aragua gang members, rapists, kidnappers, and drug traffickers on Chicago’s streets—putting American lives at risk and making Chicago a magnet for criminals. President Trump and Secretary Noem have a clear message: no city is a safe haven for criminal illegal aliens. If you come to our country illegally and break our laws, we will hunt you down, arrest you, deport you, and you will never return.”

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Trisha Sengupta

Trisha Sengupta is a Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over six years of digital newsroom experience. Specialising in high-engagement storytelling, she blends viral trends with traditional journalism to cover the intersection of technology, finance, and human emotion. Her reporting spans real estate and personal finance struggles in hubs like Bengaluru and Gurgaon, the NRI experience, and corporate shifts like tech layoffs. Trisha also frequently tracks global figures and writes human interest stories. Offline, Trisha is an avid reader, history enthusiast and solo traveler. She balances her journalism career with family life while actively integrating AI tools into her modern storytelling approach.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Notifications

Get breaking alerts directly from the newsroom

Notifications are on!You'll be notified when news breaks